V 


HISTORY 


UjSTTED  states 


MARINE   CORPS. 


"Per  Mare  et  Terr  am"  < 


•  ,*'   »  ',•    ■  - , 


M.  ALMY   ALDRICH. 


FROM    OFFICIAL   REPORTS   AND   OTHER   DOCUMENTS   COMPILED   BY 

CAPTAIN   RICHARD   S.  COLLUM. 


BOSTON: 
HENRY    L.    SHEPARD    &    CO. 

1875- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875,  by 

•jtfkRY  l.  'criEjPkjQDJ  &.  co. 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  a^  Washington. 


TO  THE 
OFFICERS   OF  THE 
MARINE  CORPS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES  THIS  WORK  IS  CORDIALLY  DEDI- 
CATED j   NOT  WITH  THE  EXPECTATION  OF  ADDING 
TO  THEIR  WELL-EARNED  FAME  J   BUT  WITH  A  DESIRE  THAT 
THE  SERVICES  OF  THE  CORPS  MAY  BE  MORE  WIDELY  APPRECIATED, 
AND    THAT   THE    NATION    MAY    RECOGNIZE    THE    DEBT 
IT     OWES     TO     THE     MEN,     WHO,     IN     ALL 
THE  TRYING  TIMES   IN  OUR  COUN- 
TRY'S HISTORY,   HAVE  NOBLY 
DONE      THEIR 
DUTY, 

uPer  Mare  et  Terram."  \ 


952865 


"  From  the  establishment  of  the  Marine  Corps  to  the  present 
time,  it  has  constituted  an  integral  part  of  the  Navy,  has  been 
identified  with  it  in  all  its  achievements,  ashore  and  afloat,  and 
has  continued  to  receive  from  its  most  distinguished  command- 
ers the  expression  of  their  appreciation  of  its  effectiveness  as  a 
part  of  the  Navy." — Report  of  House  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs  ; 
39  ta  Congress,  2d  Session.  5 


PREFACE 


In  writing  a  History  of  the  Marine  Corps,  two  objects  have 
been  kept  in  view :  To  faithfully  complete  a  heretofore  unwritten 
chapter  in  our  national  record,  and  to  bring  more  prominently  to 
the  attention  of  the  country  a  history  of  services  whose  impor- 
tance has  failed  to  meet  with  that  general  recognition  which  it 
merits.  While  there  has  been  no  lack  of  historians  to  record  the 
deeds  of  the  Regular  Army  and  Navy,  the  Marine  Corps,  as  a 
distinctive  branch  of  the  national  service,  has  been  forced  here- 
tofore to  depend  mainly  for  its  history  on  the  casual,  and  oftentimes 
incomplete,  mention  contained  in  naval  reports  and  other  official 
documents.  Much  of  the  information  on  which  the  present  work 
is  based,  is,  of  course,  obtained  from  these  sources ;  but,  in  order 
to  make  the  record  complete,  it  has  been  necessary  to  spend 
many  mortths  in  the  examination  of  the  national  archives,  and  in 
the  gathering  of  stray  items  of  information  from  widely  separated 
sources.  The  aid  of  government  officials,  and 'of  the  officers  of 
the  Corps,  as  well  as  of  other  friends,  has  proved  of  the  utmost 
importance  in  obtaining  many  facts,  without  which  the  work 
would  be  lacking  in  that  completeness  which  it  has  been  the 
effort  of  the  author  to  secure.  Every  available  source  of  infor- 
mation has  been  made  to  contribute  to  the  work,  and  valuable 
aid  has  been  derived  from  Cooper's  and  other  naval  histories. 
Whenever  it  has  been  possible,  the  accounts  of  battles,  etc., 

7 


8  Preface. 

published  in  newspapers  have  been  used  in  preference  even  to 
official  documents,  the  author  believing  that  the  unprejudiced 
newspaper  reporter  is  the  real  historian  of  the  age.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  course,  an  acquaintance,  on  the  part  of  the  reader,  with 
general  history  is  taken  for  granted,  such  knowledge  being  nec- 
essary to  a  correct  understanding  of  some  portions  of  the  pres- 
ent work.  The  reader  will  necessarily  be  called  on  to  furnish 
many  missing  links,  the  production  of  which  in  these  pages 
would  introduce  much  matter  foreign  to  the  design  of  the  book, 
not  having  a  direct  bearing  on  the  subject  treated. 

The  need  of  such  a  work  is  acknowledged  by  students  of  his- 
tory, and  is  proved  by  the  general  lack  of  information  on  the 
subject.  Few  persons  outside  the  immediate  circle  of  the  active 
and  retired  members  of  the  Corps  know  anything  of  the  value 
of  the  services  rendered  by  the  Marines  in  many  of  the  more 
important  events  which  go  to  make  up  the  history  of  our  country. 
To  record  the  services  of  the  dead,  and  the  efficiency  of  the 
living,  officers  and  men  whose  names  make  up  the  roll  of  those 
who  have  served  as  Marines  since  the  Continental  Congress  first 
authorized  .the  formation  of  the  Corps,  is  a  labor  whose  impor- 
tance is  fully  realized,  and  to  meet  the  demands  of  which  a  con- 
scientious, and,  it  is  believed,  successful  effort  has  been  made. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Nature  and  Value  of  the  Services  of  the  Marines.  —  Brief  Sketch  of  the 
Marine  Forces  Connected  with  some  of  the  European  Navies,  etc.     15 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Antiquity  of  the  Marine  Service.  —  Phoenician  and  Greek  Marines. 
—  The  Force  under  Xerxes.— The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain. 
— A  Well-merited  Tribute  to  the  American  Marines,  by  a  Prominent 
Officer  of  the  Navy 21 


PART  II. 

CHAPTER  I. 

From  1775  t0  I798-  — The  Early  Organization  of  the  Corps.  —Services 
during  the  War  of  the  Revolution 33 

CHAPTER  II. 

After  the  Revolution.  —  Settling  up  the  Accounts  of  the  Old  Navy.  — 
Attempts  at  Reorganization 4I 

CHAPTER  III. 

From  1798  to  1805.  — Reorganization  of  the   Corps.  — The  War  with 
Tripoli,  etc 44 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  War  of  18 12.  — Lieutenant  Gamble's  Exploits.  —  The  Fights  on 
the  Lakes,  etc c2 

9 


io  Contents. 

CHAPTER  V. 
1824.  —  The  Famous  Mutiny  in  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison 62 

CHAPTER  VI. 

1824  to  1835.  —  Operations  Against  Pirates.  —  The  Trouble  on  the  Coast 
of  Sumatra.  —  Services  in  New  York 66 

CHAPTER  VII. 

1836-7.  —  The   Land   Services   of    the   Corps   during    the   Campaigns 

against  the   Hostile  Indians  in  Florida 70 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

1838-42.  —  The  Services  of  the  Marines  Attached  to  the  Mosquito  Fleet 

during  the  War 79 

CHAPTER  IX. 

1839.  —  The  Nature  and  Value  of  the  Duties  of  the  Marines  Clearly 

Defined 83 

CHAPTER  X. 

1846-8. — The  California  and  Mexican  Wars,  I.  —  Operations  of  the 

Marines  Connected  with  the  Pacific  Squadron 86 

CHAPTER  XL 

1846-8.  —  The  Mexican  War,  II.  —  Operations  of  the  Marines  Connected 

with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast 94 

CHAPTER  XII. 

1847-8.  —  The   Mexican    War,   III.  —  Operations   of  the   Marines  At- 
tached to  General  Scott's  Army.  —  Recapitulation,  etc 104 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

1852-3.  —  Commodore  Perry's  Expedition  to  Japan. — Unpleasantness 
at  Shanghai 112 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

1854-6.  — An  Official  Opinion.  —  The  Barrier  Forts  in  China.  —  Indian 

War  in  Washington  Territory,  etc 114 

CHAPTER  XV. 

1857.  —The  Famous  Washington  Riot  Quelled  by  the  Marines 118 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

1858.  —  Fight  with  Savages.  —  Peaceful  Missions 122 


Contents. 


ii 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
1858-9.  —  Services  on  Staten  Island.  —  Capture  of  John  Brown 124 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

i860. — The  Panama  Insurrection.  —  Action  on  the  West  Coast  of 
Africa 127 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

From  January  to  July,  1861.  —  Services  of  the  Marines  in  the  First  Part 
of  the  Civil  War 129 

CHAPTER  XX. 

July,  1861.  — The   First  Battle  of  Bull   Run. —Reorganization  of  the 

Corps.  —  Hatteras  Inlet 133 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

September,  1861.  —  The  Capture  of  the  Confederate  Privateer  Judah  off 

Pensacola.  —  Battle  of  Port  Royal 140 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

November,  1861.  — The  Trent  Affair,.  —  Details  of  one  of  the  Most  In- 
teresting Events  of  the  War.  —  Minor  Engagements 145 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
The  Merrimac  and  Monitor  Fight 151 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

1862.  —  Various  Engagements,  Expeditions  and  Other  Services  during 
the  Early  Part  of  the  Year 154 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

April  to  December,  1862.  — The  Capture  of  New  Orleans.  —  Passing  the 

Batteries  at  Vicksburg.—  Marines  Captured  by  the  Alabama 160 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

1863.  —  R^d  of  Rebel  Iron-clads  Among  the  Vessels  off  Charleston. — 
Quelling  the  Draft  Riots  in  New  York  City.  —  Unsuccessful  Attack 

on  Fort  Sumter.  —  The  Port  Hudson  Affair,  etc 166 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

1864.  —  Condition  of  the  Corps.  —  Death  of  Colonel  Harris.  —  The 
Defeat  of  the  Alabama. — Admiral  Farragut's  Attack  on  the  De- 
fences in  Mobile  Bay,  etc 173 


12  Contents. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

December,  1864,  and  January,  1865.  —  Butler's  Failure  at  Fort  Fisher. — 
Porter's  Confidence.  —  The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and 
Terry 180 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

1864  to  1870. —  Some  of  the  Fighting  during  the  Last  Part  of  the  War. 

—  The  Great  Fire  in  Portland,  Me. — The  Rank  of  Brigadier-gen- 
eral Created  for  the  Commandant  of  the  Corps.  —  Fight  at  For- 
mosa, etc 189 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

The  Capture   of  Raphael   Semmes. — An  Interesting  and  Important 

Chapter  from  the  Secret  History  of  the  War 196 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

1870.  —  Capture  of  a  Prize  Vessel.  — The  Whiskey  Raids  at  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. — Valuable  Services  of  the  Marines  in  Aiding  the  Revenue 
Officers 202 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

187 1. — The  Corean  Expedition.  —  A  Surveying  Party  Fired  Upon  by 
the  Corean  Forts.  —  Terrible  Punishment  Inflicted  on  the  Coreans. 

—  The  Marines  in  Advance.  —  The   Final  Triumph 210 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Services  of  the  Marines  in  the  City  of  Boston  during  Two  Destructive 
Fires.  —  Protection  to  Americans  at  Panama.  — Thanks  to  Captain 
Pope.  —  Review  at  Key  West .- 217 


PART  III. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Complete  List  of  all  the  Officers  of  the  Corps,  from  1798  to  the  Present 
Time • 227 

CHAPTER  II. 

Thanks,  Medals,  and  Swords  Awarded  to  the  Corps;  from   1798  to  the 
Present  Time 251 

CHAPTER  III. 
List  of  Officers  who  were  Brevetted  for  Services  during  the  Civil  War    254* 


PART    I. 


PART  I. 


CHAPTER  I. 


NATURE  AND  VALUE  OF  THE  SERVICES  OF  THE  MARINES. — 
BRIEF  SKETCH  OF  THE  MARINE  FORCES  CONNECTED  WITH 
SOME   OF   THE    EUROPEAN    NAVIES,  ETC. 

THE  value  of  a  well-organized,  efficient  Marine  Corps  is 
recognized  by  all  the  leading  governments  of  the  present 
day.  When  united  Germany,  at  the  close  of  the  Franco-Prus- 
sian war,  set  about  availing  herself  of  all  the  naval  and  military 
strength  of  the  empire,  for  any  future  emergencies,  one  of  the 
first  steps  taken  was  to  organize  a  Marine  Corps ;  it  was  made 
up  of  picked  men  from  the  Army,  and  is  now  one  of  the  most 
efficient  forces  in  Europe.  The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain, 
which  number  27,000  men  in  time  of  war  and  15,000  in  time 
of  peace,  are  not  excelled  in  discipline  or  efficiency  by  any 
equal  numbers  of  men  in  the  English  Regular  Army.  The  form- 
ation of  the  British  Marine  Corps  dates  back  to  the  latter  part 
of  the  seventeenth  century.  Lieutenant  Nicolas,  in  his  "  Histori- 
cal Record  of  the  Royal  Marine  Forces,"  says :  "  Until  the  year 
1664,  the  British  Navy  was  manned  by  means  of  the  system  of 
impress,  or  by  enlisting  landsmen  ;  but  the  commerce  of  Eng- 
land at  that  period  was  so  limited  that  those  measures  were 
found  inadequate  to  procure  sufficient  seamen  for  the  public 
service,  and  this  difficulty  suggested  the  formation  of  an  estab- 

1S 


1 6  Nature  and  Value  of  the  Services  of  the  Marines. 

lishment  of  Marines.  The  men  were  raised  with  the  object  of 
forming  a  nursery  to  man  the  fleet,  and  being  quartered  in  or 
near  the  principal  sea-ports,  their  great  utility  in  the  equipment 
of  squadrons  soon  made  it  desirable  to  augment  their  strength." 
In  1664,  the  order  was  issued  for  raising  a  regiment  of  Royal 
Marines.  Although  the  force  has  witnessed  many  changes  in 
its  system  of  organization,  and  was  at  one  time,  in  1748,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  peace  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  temporarily  dis- 
banded, it  has  ever,  by  bravery  and  efficiency,  proved  the  wisdom 
of  the  original  plan  for  its  formation.  It  was  a  favorite  remark 
with  the  immortal  Nelson,  who  fully  appreciated  the  services  of 
the  Marines,  that  when  he  should  become  First  Lord  of  the 
Admiralty,  "every  fleet  should  have  a  perfect  battalion  of 
Marines,  and,  commanded  by  experienced  officers,  they  would 
be  prepared  to  make  a  serious  impression  on  the  enemy's  coast." 
Nelson  maintained  his  belief  in  the  efficiency  of  the  Marines 
till  death,  and  it  was  a  strange  yet  fitting  sequel  that  when 
struck  by  the  fatal  missile  at  the  bloody  fight  at  Trafalgar,  he 
was  borne  from  the  deck  by  a  sergeant  and  two  privates  of  the 
Marine  Corps  into  whose  arms  he  fell.  In  all  the  principal  con- 
tests in  which  Great  Britain  has  engaged  during  the  last 
century,  on  land  or  sea,  the  Marines  have  borne  a  brave,  an 
honorable  part.  This  is  especially  true  of  those  conflicts  carried 
on  in  distant  countries.  In  the  Ashantee  war,  no  laurels  were 
more  honorably  or  bravely  won  than  those  which  crowned  the 
record  of  the  Royal  Marines. 

What  has  been  said  of  the  appreciation  of  the  value  of  the 
Marine  Corps  by  the  German  government  is  equally  true  in  the 
case  of  Italy.  When  Victor  Emanuel  established  his  government 
at  Rome  and  took  the  necessary  steps  to  strengthen  himself  in 
the  enlarged  sphere  over  which  his  power  was  extended,  one  of 
the  first  means  adopted  was  to  bring  the  Marine  Corps  to  a  high 
degree  of  efficiency.  The  result  is,  that  the  Italian  Marines  are 
as  finely  disciplined  and  organized  a  body  of  men  as  can  be 
found  in  the  service  of  any  nation.     Spain,  with  all  the  changes 


Marine  Forces  of  European  Navies.  17 

in  her  government,  and  with  all  her  national  weakness,  keeps  up 
the  high  standard  of  her  Marines,  and  that  body  of  men  alone 
would  prove  a  powerful  force  for  offence  or  defence  in  case  of  a 
foreign  war.  France,  too,  has  for  many  years,  in  spite  of  the  com- 
parative weakness  of  her  Navy,  maintained  an  excellent  Corps 
of  Marines.  Sir  John  Jervis,  Earl  of  St.  Vincent,  the  famous 
English  admiral,  who  died  in  1823,  when  urging,  as  necessary  to 
add  efficiency  to  the  British  Navy,  an  increase  in  the  number  of 
Marines,  pointed  to  the  French  Navy  and  said:  "The  French, 
from  the  era  of  Louis  XIV.,  have  always  equipped  their  fleet 
sooner  than  we  have,  and  their  bureau  de  classe  continues  in  full 
vigor.  Without  a  large  body  of  Marines,  we  shall  be  long,  very 
long,  before  an  efficient  fleet  can  be  sent  to  sea." 

Trained,  as  they  are,  for  duty  both  on  shipboard  and  on  land, 
the  Marines  combine  the  discipline  of  soldiers  and  sailors  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  render  their  services  indispensable  in  con- 
nection with  the  properly  organized  Navy  of  any  country. 
Accustomed  by  the  very  nature  of  their  training  to  the  dangers 
of  sea  and  land,  the  value  of  their  services  cannot  be  easily  es- 
timated. The  United  States  Marine  Corps,  although  composed, 
comparatively,  of  a  small  force  of  men,  has  played  a  most  impor- 
tant part  in  all  the  struggles  through  which  the  nation  has 
passed.  Acting  as  an  integral  part  of  the  Navy,  the  Marines 
have  won  the  highest  praise  from  the  naval  officers  themselves. 
It  is  not  necessary,  in  proving  the  value  of  the  services  of  the 
Marines,  to  bring  forward  credentials  or  testimonials  to  their 
valor.  Yet  it  is  a  pleasure,  in  this  connection,  to  note  the  opin- 
ions of  some  of  the  officers  whose  names  have  added  lustre  to 
our  naval  records.  The  men  of  our  Navy  have  ever  justly  been 
a  source  of  pride  to  the  nation,  and  no  small  part  of  the  honors 
which  they  have  won  should  be  shared  with  the  Marines.  This 
fact  is  willingly  acknowledged,  by  the  officers  of  the  Navy.  The 
brave  Admiral  Farragut  thus  bore  his  testimony :  "  I  have 
always  deemed  the  Marine  Guard  one  of  the  great  essentials  of 
a  man-of-war,  for  the  preservation  of  order  and  maintenance  of 


1 8  Marine  Forces  of  European  Navies. 

discipline.  They  work  and  fight  their  guns  well.  It  is  next  to 
impossible  to  maintain  the  efficiency  of  the  ship  and  proper  dis- 
cipline without  the  restraints  of  the  soldiers  over  the  sailors." 
And  Farragut's  successor,  Admiral  Porter,  says :  "  The  Marines 
are  as  necessary  to  the  well-being  of  a  ship  as  the  officers.  I 
hope  for  the  good  of  the  service  that  no  attempt  will  be  made  to 
interfere  with  the  Corps  in  any  way,  unless  to  increase  it.  The 
Navy  would  truly  feel  the  blow.  I  am  sure  you  will  not  find 
any  advocate  for  touching  the  Marine  Corps  amongst  any  offi- 
cers of  experience  in  the  Navy."  Commodore  Rodgers  says : 
"I  do  not  think  that  soldiers  temporarily  detailed  from  the 
Army  to  serve  in  the  Navy  could  do  the  work  of  Marines  them- 
selves, since  the  latter  have  chosen  their  service  and  are  accus- 
tomed to  its  confinement,  as  well  as  habituated  to  the  sea." 
Commander  Roe  says :  "  It  is  impossible  to  substitute  soldiers 
of  the  Army  for  Marines.  The  Marines  are  sea  soldiers  ;  they 
are  half-sailors,  and  have  a  special  training  which  the  land  sol- 
diers cannot  have." 

In  spite  of  all  this,  the  popular  idea  of  the  duties  of  the 
Marine  Corps  is  exceedingly  vague.  On  those  occasions,  which 
have  not  been  infrequent,  when  the  propriety  of  abolishing  the 
organization  has  been  urged  by  certain  members  of  Congress, 
the  most  ardent  defenders  of  the  Corps,  while  fully  convinced  of 
the  necessity  of  its  existence,  have  sometimes  found  themselves 
at  a  loss  to  describe  its  duties.  Considering  the  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case,  such  a  lack  of  information  is  not  sur- 
prising, for  only  those  familiar  with  the  value  of  the  services  of 
the  Marines  can  well  be  acquainted  with  the  details  of  the 
arduous  and  responsible  duties  performed  by  the  officers  and 
men  attached  to  the  Corps.  In  1866,  the  National  House  of 
Representatives  instructed  the  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs  "to 
consider  the  expediency  of  abolishing  the  Marine  Corps,  and 
transferring  it  to  the  Army,  and  of  making  provision  for  supply- 
ing such  military  force  as  may  at  any  time  be  needed  in  the 
Navy,  by  detail  from  the  Army."     The  Committee  unanimously 


Marine  Forces  of  European  Navies.  19 

decided  in  opposition  to  the  project,  and,  in  their  report,  made 
use  of  the  following  language  in  describing  the  duties  of  the 
Marines :  "  The  Marines  are  strictly  infantry  soldiers  trained  for 
service  afloat.  Their  discipline,  equipment,  character,  and 
esprit  de  corps  being  that  of  the  soldier,  they  necessarily  give  to  a 
ship-of-war  its  military  character.  As  sentinels,  they  watch  over 
the  magazines,  store-rooms,  gangways,  galleys,  and  all  lights  and 
fires  required  for  the  use  of  the  ship  ;  they  guard  all  the  public 
property  and  all  prisoners  of  war,  which  at  times  may  outnumber 
the  crew ;  and  at  all  times  sustain  and  protect  the  discipline  of  a 
man-of-war  by  their  organization,  distinctive  character,  and 
peculiar  training.  In  the  ordinary  duties  of  a  ship  at  sea,  they 
pull  and  haul  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  crew  ;  and  although 
not  required  to  go  aloft,  they  keep  regular  watch,  and  are  most 
to  be  relied  upon  to  man  the  ropes  in  sudden  squalls,  a  duty  the 
prompt  discharge  of  which  is  as  necessary  to  the  safety  of  a  ship 
as  reefing  or  furling.  Marines  are  also  trained  at  the  great  gun 
exercise,  so  that  in  time  of  action  they  are  ready  to  assist  in 
manning  guns  or  to  act  as  a  reserve  force  to  meet  the  casualties 
of  battles.  These  duties  being  natural  to,  and  part  and  parcel 
of,  the  service  to  which  they  belong,  their  absence  from  the 
deck  would  have  to  be  supplied  by  an  equal  amount  of  physical 
force  j  and,  as  some  part  of  the  crew  must  be  kept  on  deck  to 
perform  these  important  duties,  it  will  be  readily  seen  why  a 
body  of  well-trained  men,  familiar  with  sea  life  and  its  duties, 
should  be  preferred  to  soldiers  drawn  from  the  Army  unaccus- 
tomed to  these  duties.  As  soldiers,  they  guard  the  ship  from 
troubles  within  and  from  surprise  without ;  and  as  part  of  the 
ship's  complement,  take  part  in  most  of  the  duties  necessary  to 
her  efficiency  as  a  man-of-war.  While  ashore,  undergoing  train- 
ing as  soldiers,  they  are  not  otherwise  idle,  but  guard  and  pro- 
tect the  Navy  Yards  with  the  immense  amount  of  public  property 
within  them,  and  are  always  ready  for  emergencies  in  adjacent 
cities." 

In  an  article  descriptive  of  the  nature  and  value  of  the  services 


20  Marine  Forces  of  European  Navies. 

of  the  Marines,  the  New  York  Times  says :  "  In  times  of  peace 
this  Corps  has  saved  millions  of  dollars  to  our  national  treasury  by 
its  faithfulness  in  guarding  the  public  property  in  our  Navy 
Yards  and  magazines.  It  is  worthy  of  attention  that  no  large 
fire  has  ever  occurred  at  any  of  our  Navy  Yards  where  a  guard 
of  Marines  was  on  duty.  Had  the  New  Ironsides  been  in 
charge  of  even  a  corporal's  guard  of  Marines,  instead  of  a  num- 
ber of  irresponsible  watchmen,  the  fire  never  would  have 
occurred,  and  the  government  would  not  have  been  a  loser 
thereby  of  a  sum  equal  to  the  amount  appropriated  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  entire  Corps.  It  has  been  estimated  that  the  pay  of 
the  watchmen  for  one  year  who  are  employed  in  our  Navy  Yards, 
added  to  the  property  lost  through  their  inefficiency,  would  sup- 
port a  Marine  Corps  of  more  than  double  the  present  number 
of  men.  The  difference  between  a  well-drilled,  responsible  sol- 
dier as  a  guard  and  sentinel,  and  an  irresponsible  civilian, 
ought  to  be  evident  to  all,  and  especially  to  those  who  have  our 
national  property  under  control." 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE    ANTIQUITY    OF    THE    MARINE    SERVICE. PHOENICIAN    AND 

GREEK      MARINES. THE      FORCE      UNDER      XERXES.  —  THE 

ROYAL     MARINES     OF     GREAT     BRITAIN. A     WELL-MERITED 

TRIBUTE     TO     THE     AMERICAN     MARINES,     BY    A    PROMINENT 
OFFICER    OF    THE    NAVY. 

* 

CAPTAIN  S.  B.  LUCE,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  has 
kindly  furnished  the  following  chapter  in  relation  to 
the  antiquity  of  the  Marine  Service,  etc.,  with  a  tribute  to  the 
value  of  the  United  States  Corps,  which  will  be  appreciated 
alike  by  the  student  of  history  and  by  the  officers  and  men  of 
the  Corps : 

The  employment  of  infantry  as  part  of  the  regular  comple- 
ment of  vessels  of  war  was  common  to  the  Phoenicians  and  to 
all  the  maritime  States  of  Greece  at  least  five  centuries  before 
the  commencement  of  the  Christian  era.  In  the  earlier  period 
of  history  it  was  not  so.  When  vessels  were  no  larger  than 
pentekonters,  —  open  boats  pulling  fifty  oars,  —  perhaps  up  to 
the  time  of  biremes,  the  warriors  were  the  oarsmen.  But  as 
naval  science  progressed,  and  the  size  of  vessels  increased, 
there  gradually  sprang  up  distinct  classes,  which  together  made 
up  the  personnel  of  the  Navies  about  500  B.  C. :  the  rowers,  the 
seamen  proper,  who  had  the  general  management  of  the  vessel 
and  sails,  and  the  Marines,  or  fighting  men.  Marines  are 
specially  mentioned  in  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Lade',  in  the 
time  of  Darius,  king  of  Persia,  about  497  B.  C.  The  Ionian 
Greeks,  being  in  a  state  of  revolt,  had  their  fleet  drawn  up  at 

21 


22  The  Antiquity  of  the  Marine  Service. 

Lade,  a  small  island  lying  off  Miletus,  where  it  was  discovered 
by  the  Persians.  In  the  battle  which  ensued,  the  Samian 
and  Lesbian  squadrons  deserted  the  cause,  the  people  of  those 
isles  having  been  won  over  by  Persian  emissaries,  and  were  fol- 
lowed by  others.  "  Of  those  who  remained  and  fought,"  says 
Herodotus,  "  none  were  so  rudely  handled  as  the  Chians.  They 
had  furnished  to  the  common  fleet  over  one  hundred  ships,  hav- 
ing each  of  them  forty  armed  citizens  on  board,  and  those 
picked  men.  Scorning  to  follow  the  base  examples  of  the  trai- 
tors, they  fought  desperately,  till,  overcome  by  numbers,  they 
were  obliged  to  seek  safety  in  flight."  The  same  author,  in  es- 
timating the  strength  of  the  Persian  naval  force  which  accompa- 
nied the  army  of  Xerxes  to  Greece,  observes  that  each  vessel 
had  on  board,  besides  native  soldiers,  thirty  fighting  men,  who 
were  either  Persians,  Medes,  or  Sacans. 

At  the  dawning  of  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Salamis,  the  men-at- 
arms  of  the  Greek  fleet  were  assembled  on  shore,  and  speeches 
were  made  to  them.  "The  best  of  all  was  that  of  Themis- 
tocles,  who,  throughout,  contrasted  what  was  noble  with  what 
was  base,  and  bade  them  in  all  that  came  within  the  range  of 
man's  nature  always  to  make  choice  of  the  nobler  part."  These 
men-at-arms  or  soldiers,  which  formed  part  of  the  complement 
of  the  Greek  trireme,  were  called  Epibatce,  a  word  all  authori- 
ties agree  in  rendering  into  English  by  the  word  Marines.  The 
largest  number  of  Marines  found  aboard  each  of  the  "  swift  ships  " 
—  that  is,  the  regular  men  of  war,  as  distinguished  from  trans- 
ports —  at  this  period  was  forty.  Plutarch  gives  the  number  on 
board  each  Greek  trireme  at  the  battle  of  Salamis  as  eighteen,  four 
of  whom  were  archers  and  the  rest  heavy-armed.  During  the  Pel- 
oponnesian  War,  the  average  number  on  board  the  Athenian  tri- 
reme was  ten.  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  give  here  one  of 
the  many  incidents  of  the  battle  of  Salamis,  as  an  illustration  of 
the  valor  and  mode  of  fighting  of  the  Epibatce :  "  A  Samothracian 
vessel  bore  down  on  an  Athenian  and  sunk  it,  but  was  attacked 
and  crippled  immediately  after  by  one  of  the  Eginetan  squadron. 


Phoenician  and  Greek  Marines.  23 

Now  the  Samothracians  were  expert  with  the  javelin,  and  aimed 
their  weapons  so  well  that  they  cleared  the  deck  of  the  vessel 
which  had  disabled  their  own,  after  which  they  sprang  on  board 
and  took  it."     (Herodotus  viii.  90.) 

In  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Platea,  where  Mardonius,  the 
great  military  leader  of  the  Persians,  was  slain,  and  the  choice 
of  the  Persian  troops  routed,  there  is  an  instance  related  where 
the  military  and  naval  training  are  curiously  blended  in  the 
person  of  the  Athenian  Sophanes.  "He  wore,"  says  Herod- 
otus, "  an  iron  anchor,  fastened  to  the  belt  which  secured  his 
breastplate  by  a  brazen  chain ;  and  this,  when  he  came  near  the 
enemy,  he  threw  out,  to  the  intent  that  when  they  made  their 
charge  it  might  be  impossible  for  him  to  be  driven  from  his 
post.  As  soon,  however,  as  the  enemy  fled,  his  wont  was  to  take 
up  his  anchor  and  join  the  pursuit."  Another  account  states 
that  the  anchor  was  simply  a  device  upon  his  shield.  But  in 
either  event  the  anchor  would  indicate  that  he  had  served 
afloat.  Thucydides  makes  frequent  mention  of  Epibatce.  When 
the  Athenian  strategus  Demosthenes  was  operating  near  Leu- 
cas  with  thirty  ships,  he  landed  his  forces,  and  had,  besides 
the  army,  "  the  three  hundred  Epibatce  from  his  own  ships,"  mak- 
ing ten  for  each  trireme.  Rawlinson,  in  translating  the  word 
Epibatce,  explains  that  it  means  "  the  armed  portion  of  the  crew, 
corresponding  to  our  (English)  Marines."  So  also  Dr.  Dale,  in 
his  translation  of  "  Thucydides,"  renders  the  word  Epibatce  as  "  the 
heavy-armed  soldiers  who  served  on  board  ship,  answering  to 
our  Marines."  The  eminent  Greek  scholar,  Dr.  Arnold,  takes 
the  same  view.  The  learned  historian  of  Greece,  Mr.  Grote, 
speaks  of  Epibatce  as  Marines,  and  observes  that  "  though  not 
forming  a  corps  permanently  distinct,  they  correspond  in  func- 
tion to  the  English  Marines."  In  the  statement  that  they  did  not 
form  a  distinct  corps,  Mr.  Grote  seems  to  differ  from  other 
authorities. 

Boeckh,  probably  one  of  the  very  best  authorities  on  the  antiq- 
uities  of   Athens,  who   is   so   freely  quoted   by   Mr.  Grote   in 


24  Phoenician  and  Greek  Marines. 

his  history  of  Greece  and  referred  to  by  Dr.  William  Smith  and 
Rich  in  their  dictionaries  of  Roman  and  Greek  antiquities,  in 
speaking  of  matters  concerning  the  Athenian  Navy,  remarks 
that  "  The  crews  of  the  swift  triremes  consisted  of  two  descrip- 
tions of  men :  of  the  soldiers  or  Marines  appointed  to  defend 
the  vessels,  who  were  also  called  Epibatce ;  and  of  the  sailors. 
These  Epibatce  were  entirely  distinct  from  the  land  soldiers,  such 
as  the  hoplitce,  peltastcz  and  cavalry,  and  belonged  to  the  vessel.1' 
("  Boeckh's  Economy  of  Athens,"  Vol.  I,  page  373.)  They  had, 
moreover,  their  own  officers,  called  triera?rhoi. 

During  the  naval  supremacy  of  Rome,  the  quinquireme  only, 
as  a  rule,  was  admitted  into  the  line  of  battle.  Polybius  gives 
the  number  of  rowers  in  these  vessels  as  three  hundred,  and 
that  of  the  Marines  (c/asiarii  milites)  as  one  hundred  and  twenty. 
In  regard  to  the  manner  of  fighting,  it  may  be  observed  that  the 
Epibatce  used  arrows  and  darts  at  a  distance,  spears  and  swords  in 
close  combat,  and  as  ships  increased  in  size  they  added  balistce, 
and  turres,  or  turrets  {naves  turritce),  and  fought  from  them  as 
from  castles  on  land. 

In  the  earlier  period  of  naval  history,  when  opposing  fleets, 
drawn  up  in  parallel  lines,  closed  at  once  and  decided  the  issue 
of  the  battle  by  a  hand-to-hand  contest,  the  number  of  Marines 
aboard  each  vessel  was  as  large  as  could  be  accommodated. 
But  when,  in  the  process  of  time,  military  science  became  better 
understood,  and  its  principles  came  to  be  applied  to  the  man- 
agement of  fleets,  naval  tactics  grew  to  be  an  art  in  which  the 
Athenians  rendered  themselves  preeminently  successful.  Skil- 
ful manoeuvres  and  evolutions  performed  with  wonderful  celerity 
and  precision  took  the  place  of  the  old  style  of  rushing  headlong 
into  battle.  To  maim  and  disable  an  enemy,  without  receiving 
any  injury  in  return,  was  now  the  evidence  of  an  expert  trierarch 
and  a  well-drilled  crew ;  this  feat  once  accomplished,  and  the 
enemy's  vessel  reduced  to  a  helpless  wreck  upon  the  water,  the 
survivors  were  easily  despatched  by  the  Marines.  Hence,  with 
the  improved  tactics  came  a  reduction  of  the  number  of  Marines 


The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain.  25 

allowed  to  a  Greek  trireme,  the  precise  number  being  finally 
settled  at  ten,  as  already  stated,  the  entire  complement  of  the 
trireme  being  two  hundred. 

The  true  functions  of  the  Marine  of  modern  times  were  little 
understood,  his  great  value  to  the  Navy  to  which  he  belonged 
little  appreciated,  till  within  a  recent  period.  According  to 
their  own  writers,  the  Corps  of  Marines  of  Great  Britain  was 
originally  instituted  in  1664;  and,  curiously  enough,  partly  with 
a  view  to  forming  a  nursery  of  seamen  for  the  fleet.  The  pri- 
vates were  encouraged  to  qualify  as  able  seamen,  and  were  al- 
lowed every  opportunity  of  doing  so.  * 

"  It  having  been  found  necessary  on  many  occasions  to  embark 
a  number  of  soldiers  on  board  our  ships  of  war  *  *  it  was  judged 
expedient  to  appoint  certain  regiments  for  that  service,  who  were 
trained  to  the  different  modes  of  sea-fighting,  and  also  made  use- 
ful in  some  of  those  manoeuvres  of  a  ship  where  a  great  many 
hands  were  required.  These,  from  the  nature  of  their  duty,  were 
distinguished  as  Marine  soldiers,  or  Marines."  (  "  Grose's  Mili- 
tary Antiquities  of  the  English  Army,"  Vol.  I.)  They  were  ex- 
pected to  be  more  or  less  familiar  with  the  duties  of  seamen,  and 
it  is  still  more  curious  to  observe  that  this  total  misapprehension 
as  to  the  nature  of  the  duties  of  Marines  was  transmitted  to  the 
colonies  in  America,  and  found  definite  expression  in  the  first 
act  of  the  Continental  Congress  establishing  a  Marine  Corps. 

In  1740  three  additional  regiments  were  raised  in  America 
and  assembled  at  New  York.  All  the  officers,  excepting  the 
captains  of  companies,  who  were  colonists  nominated  by  the 
provinces,  were  appointed  by  the  Crown,  and  Colonel  Spotis- 
wood,  of  Virginia,  was  colonel-commandant  of  the  whole,  t 


*  "  Royal  Marines,"  by  T.  Smith,  R.  M.  Colburn's  "  United  Service  Mag- 
azine ""for  May,  and  following  numbers,  1874. 

t  The  history  of  the  Royal  Marines  is  not  without  its  page  of  romance. 
One  Hannah  Snell,  of  Worcester,  England,  it  appears,  fought  in  the  ranks 
as  a  Marine.     She  belonged  to  the  guard  of  the  Swallow,  one  of  the  squad- 


26  The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain. 

In  1760,  the  strength  of  the  Corps  being  increased  to  eigh- 
teen thousand,  three  hundred  and  fifty-five  men,  application  was 
made  for  an  increase  of  the  number  of  field  officers,  etc. 

Nicolas,  in  his  history  of  the  Royal  Marine  forces,  gives 
very  full  accounts  of  all  the  battles  in  which  that  Corps  partici- 
pated, But  although  the  British  Marine  had  in  many  a  hard- 
fought  action  acquitted  himself  with  credit,  yet  on  no  occasion 
had  he  proved  himself  of  more  value  to  the  Navy  to  which  he 
belonged,  or  reflected  more  honor  on  his  Corps,  than  during  the 
momentous  period  covering  the  great  mutinies  at  Spithead,  the 
Nore  and  Bantry  Bay.  The  seamen  of  the  fleet  fully  under- 
standing the  advantage,  in  the  stand  they  had  taken  against  the 
Government,  of  engaging  the  Marines  as  their  allies,  took  care 
to  include  them  in  their  demand  for  redress  of  abuses.  In 
their  answer  to  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty,  dated  on  board 
the  Queen  Charlotte  at  Spithead,  April  19,  1797,  they  say, — 
"  and  as  a  further  proof  of  our  moderation,  and  that  we  are 
actuated  by  a  true  spirit  of  benevolence  towards  our  brethren, 
the  Marines,  who  are  not  noticed  in  your  lordship's  answer,"  etc. 
But  neither  had  they,  in  their  first  statement  of  grievances,  be- 
ginning, "We,  the  seamen  of  His  Majesty's  Navy,"  alluded,  even 
remotely,  to  the  Marines,  showing  that  the  alliance  was  an  after 
thought.  The  Marines  were  mentioned,  however,  in  the  petition 
to  Parliament.  But  although  their  "  brethren  the  Marines  "  doubt- 
less had  their  own  grievances,  yet  they,  as  a  rule,  remained  true 
to  their  duty,  and  by  their  steadfast  courage  and  good  discipline 
suppressed  more  than  one  mutiny.     One   remarkable  instance 

ron  under  Admiral  Boscawan,  was  distinguished  for  bravery,  wounded  twelve 
times  in  various  actions ;  and  was  finally  discharged  without  her  sex  being 
discovered.  This  brings  to  mind  the  story  of  the  lady  whose  devotion  to  the 
fortunes  of  one  William  Taylor  induced  her  to  follow  that  hero  to  sea.  She 
assumed  the  name  of  Richard  Carr,  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and  not- 
withstanding the  secret  of  her  sex  being  revealed,  she  was  actually  promoted 
to  be  first  lieutenant  of  the  Thunder  bomb.  (See  "Universal  Songster," 
London,  1827,  Vol.  1.,  page  65.) 


The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain.  27 

among  many  of  a  similar  character,  is  related  of  the  crew  of  the 
Impetueux,  Captain  Sir  Edward  Pellew,  afterwards  Lord 
Exmouth.  The  mutineers  had  in  vain  attempted  to  win  over 
the  Marines,  and  Sir  Edward,  finding  he  had  them  on  his  side, 
at  once  took  such  energetic  measures  that  the  mutiny  was  put 
down.  The  Marine  Guard  of  the  Castor  frigate  summarily 
suppressed  a  mutiny  on  board  that  ship  December,  1801.  In  the 
same  year  the  mutiny  in  the  squadron  in  Bantry  Bay  broke  out ; 
this  also  was  put  down  by  the  aid  of  the  Marines.  On  each  oc- 
casion the  good  conduct  of  the  Marines  was  recognized  in  the 
official  report  of  the  affair,  and  it  was  probably  due  to  the  repu- 
tation for  loyalty  then  acquired  under  the  most  trying  circum- 
stances, rather  than  their  conduct  in  battle,  that  gave  rise  to 
the  complimentary  order  of  the  Admiralty,  of  April  29,  1802, 
conveying  His  Majesty's  directions  "  that  the  Corps  shall  be 
styled  Royal  Marines."  The  last  serious  mutiny  necessary  in 
this  connection  to  notice,  occurred  on  board  the  Excellent,  74, 
in  the  West  Indies. 

Lord  Hood,  in  general  orders,  dated  "  Blenheim,  Barbadoes, 
December  30,  1802,"  says:  "The  commander-in-chief  (as  well 
as  the  members  of  the  Court  Martial),  are  highly  sensible  of  the 
active  exertions  of  the  officers  of  H.  M.  ship  Excellent,  in 
quelling  the  late  mutiny  on  board  that  ship ;  and  also  the 
officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and  private  Marines  belong- 
ing to  the  said  ship :  who,  by  their  firmness  in  resisting  the  at- 
tempt to  seduce  them  from  their  duty,  and  in  opposing  men  in 
actual  mutiny,  have  increased,  if  possible,  the  high  character  the 
Corps  has  so  justly  acquired,"  etc.,  etc.  It  is  evident  that  the 
worth  of  the  British  Marine  had  begun  to  be  acknowledged, 
and  yet  it  was  not  till  1837  tnat  the  "  iniquitous  system  "  *  of  re- 
warding distinguished  naval  officers  by  appointing  them  to  the 
sinecures  of  generals  and  colonels  of  Marines  was  abolished. 

The  value  of  the  Royal  Marine  as  exhibited  in   his  loyalty 

*  Nicolas. 


28  The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain. 

during  a  series  of  mutinies  of  ships'  companies,  extending  over 
a  period  of  five  years,  —  or  from  1797  to  1802,  —  some  of 
which  shook  the  throne  of  Great  Britain  to  its  very  foundation, 
was  found  to  be  in  the  total  absence  of  sympathy  between  him 
and  the  seaman  ;  an  inimical  feeling,  perhaps,  which  the  appoint- 
ment of  naval  officers,  of  whatever  class,  to  positions  in  the 
Corps,  had  a  decided  tendency  to  break  down.  Hence  it  may 
be  assumed  as  a  general  proposition,  subject  to  little  qualifica- 
tion, that  the  value  of  a  Marine  Corps  to  a  Navy,  or  of  a  Marine 
Guard  to  a  ship,  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the  thoroughness  of 
its  military  training,  its  esprit  de  corps,  and  the  strict  observance 
of  that  line  of  demarkation  which  separates  the  military  from 
the  naval  element. 

Happily  for  us,  our  seamen  have  never  been  driven  into 
mutiny,  nor  does  it  seem  possible  that  such  a  deplorable  condi- 
tion of  affairs  could  ever  be  brought  about  as  would  cause  an 
absolute  antagonism  between  them  and  the  Marines.  Still,  as 
the  legally  established  "  sharp-shooters  "  and  necessary  military 
element  of  our  sea-forces,  our  Marine  Corps  should  jealously 
guard  its  integrity  as  a  military  body  "par  excellence." 

In  1804  an  artillery  company  was  attached  to  each  of  the 
three  divisions  of  the  Royal  Marine  Corps,  to  supply  the  service 
of  the  bomb-vessels,  and  in  time  of  peace  to  drill  the  whole  of 
the  Marines  in  gunnery.  But  they  were  soon  available  for 
other  purposes,  and  on  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of  18 12, 
a  large  body  of  the  Marine  Artillery,  with  a  field  battery  and 
rocket  equipment,  accompanied  the  battalions  of  Marines 
then  formed  for  service  in  America.  Later,  Sir  Howard  Doug- 
lass complimented  the  Marine  Artillery  as  being  "  either  a  corps 
of  good  infantry,  of  scientific  bombardiers,  or  expert  field  artil- 
lery-men, well  constituted,  thoroughly  instructed,  and  ably  com- 
manded." After  fluctuating  in  numbers  through  several  years, 
the  Corps  was  so  augmented  that  in  1859  it  numbered  three 
thousand  officers  and  men,  and  was  formed  into  a  separate 
division,  with  its  headquarters  at  Fort  Cumberland. 


The  Royal  Marines  of  Great  Britain.  29 

The  military  education  of  the  officers  of  the  Royal  Marine 
Artillery  is  thorough,  and  such  as  could  be  heartily  wished  were 
introduced  somewhat  into  our  own  Marine  Corps.  The  cadet 
Marines  have  to  study  for  two  years,  more  or  less,  during  which 
they  are  expected  to  acquire  a  competent  knowledge  of  arithme- 
tic, algebra,  geometry,  plane  trigonometry,  the  use  of  the  sex- 
tant, fortification,  English  history,  and  French.  To  this  may  be 
added  a  practical  course  in  naval  gunnery.  If  on  obtaining  his 
commission,  the  young  Marine  officer  is  selected  to  qualify  for 
the  Artillery,  he  must  be  prepared  at  the  end  of  a  year  to  pass 
an  examination  in  analytical  trigonometry,  differential  and  inte- 
gral calculus,  conic  sections,  statics  and  dynamics,  hydrostatics 
and  steam,  besides  being  required  to  have  an  increased  knowl- 
edge of  fortification.  The  men  are  volunteers  from  the  light 
infantry  divisions,  possessing  certain  specified  qualifications  as 
to  age,  height,  intelligence  and  character. 

The  course  of  training,  which  is,  with  a  few  exceptions,  com- 
mon to  both  officers  and  men,  is  very  comprehensive  :  it  includes 
the  usual  infantry  drills  and  musketry  instruction ;  the  exercise 
of  field  guns  and  rockets,  with  such  field  battery  movements  as 
are  of  real  practical  importance;  the  service  of  heavy  ord- 
nance, including  heavy  guns,  howitzers,  and  sea  and  land  ser- 
vice mortars  ;  the  naval  great  gun  exercise ;  mounting  and  dis- 
mounting ordnance,  with  and  without  machines  ;  the  various 
methods  of  slinging  and  transporting  ordnance ;  knotting  and 
splicing  and  fitting  gun  gear  ;  use  of  pulleys,  etc.  ;  a  laboratory 
course,  including  use  and  preparation  of  tubes,  rockets  and 
fuses,  making  up  cartridges,  manufacture  of  port  fires,  signal 
lights,  rockets,  and  explosive  compounds  j  a  course  of  practical 
gunnery,  comprising  instruction  in  the  nature  and  uses  of  the 
various  kind  of  guns,  howitzers  and  mortars,  of  projectiles,  sight- 
ing ordnance,  use  of  red-hot  shot,  and  such  matters  connected 
with  the  theory  of  projectiles  as  may  have  a  practical  application.* 

*  "Military  Schools  and  Course  of  Instruction  in  the  Science  and  Art  of 
War."     Henry  Barnard,  LL.  D.     New  York,  1872. 


30  Tribute  to  the  American  Marines. 

The  United  States  Marine  Corps  has  well  sustained  the  high 
reputation  for  steadfast  courage  and  loyalty  which  has  been 
handed  down  to  it  from  the  days  of  Themistocles.  But  like 
their  modern  prototypes  of  Great  Britain,  they  have  felt  the 
want  of  proper  appreciation.  In  the  resolution  of  Congress  of 
November  10,  1775,  to  raise  two  battalions  to  be  called  "first 
and  second  battalions  of  American  Marines,"  it  was  enjoined 
that  "  no  person  be  enlisted  into  said  battalion  but  such  as  are 
good  seamen,  or  so  acquainted  with  maritime  affairs  as  to  be  able 
to  serve  with  advantage  by  sea : "  clearly  showing  that  our  legis- 
lators of  that  day,  at  least,  had  little  conception  of  the  nature  of 
a  properly  organized  Marine  Corps.  Unfortunately,  the  erro- 
neous ideas  expressed  in  that  act  seem  more  or  less  to  have 
been  transmitted  to  the  present  time ;  for,  strange  as  it  may 
appear,  the  Corps,  while  it  has  its  own  peculiar  organization,  is 
yet  without  any  regimental  organization.  It  would  seem  to  be 
to  the  interest  of  our  Marine  Corps  that  it  should  be  brigaded, 
—  the  full  number  allowed  by  law  being  three  thousand  and 
seventy-four,*  though  practically  reduced  by  the  amount  of 
the  annual  appropriation,  —  and  companies,  or  parts  of  compa- 
nies, with  their  proper  officers  detailed  for  duty  afloat.  This 
course,  in  connection  with  the  educating  of  the  young  Marine 
officers  at  West  Point,  would  soon  bring  our  Marine  Corps  up 
to  that  high  military  standard  which  it  is  quite  safe  to  say  all  naval 
as  well  as  all  Marine  officers  desire  to  see  it  attain. 

S.  B.  L.,  U.  S.  N. 
Navy  Yard,  Boston,  December  20,  1874. 

*  Act  of  July  25,  1861. 


PART   II. 


PART  II. 


CHAPTER   I. 


FROM     1775      TO      1798. THE     EARLY     ORGANIZATION     OF     THE 

CORPS. SERVICES    DURING   THE   WAR    OF   THE    REVOLUTION. 

1775. — The  United  States  Marine  Corps  came  into  existence 
before  the  organization  of  the  regular  Navy.  Before  a  single 
vessel  of  the  Navy  was  sent  to  sea,  the  Corps  was  organized. 
On  the  10th  of  November,  1775,  the  following  was  passed  by 
Congress :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  two  battalions  of  Marines  be  raised,  consisting  of  one 
colonel,  two  lieutenant-colonels,  two  majors,  and  other  officers,  as  usual  in 
other  regiments ;  that  they  consist  of  an  equal  number  of  privates,  with  other 
battalions;  that  particular  care  be  taken  that  no  persons  be  appointed  to 
offices,  or  enlisted  into  said  battalions,  but  such  as  are  good  seamen,  or  so 
acquainted  with  maritime  affairs  as  to  be  'able  to  serve  to  advantage  by  sea 
when  required ;  that  they  be  enlisted  and  commissioned  to  serve  for  and 
during  the  present  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies,  unless  dis- 
missed by  order  of  Congress ;  that  they  be  distinguished  by  the  names  of  the 
First  and  Second  Battalions  of  American  Marines.', 

Later  in  the  same  month,  another  resolution  was  adopted  pro- 
viding against  filling  the  Corps  with  men  from  the  Regular  Army. 
But  slight  record  can  be  found  of  the  services  of  the  Marines 
during  the  first  year  of  the  existence  of  the  Corps.     Men  were 
3  33 


34  The  Early  Organization  of  the  Corps. 

not  over-plenty,  either  for  military  or  naval  duty,  and  several 
months  elapsed  before  the  Corps  was  fully  organized,  equipped 
and  ready  for  duty.  From  the  hour  of  their  earliest  organiza- 
tion, however,  the  Marines  made  a  noble  record  for  themselves 
and  for  their  country.  In  the  early  naval  fights  they  played  a 
most  important  part,  amply  proving  their  devotion  to  the  cause  in 
which  they  were  enlisted,  and  furnishing  conclusive  evidence  of 
the  wisdom  of  the  legislation  which  called  their  Corps  into 
existence. 

1776.  —  During  the  year  1776,  the  organization  of  the  Corps 
was  further  perfected,  and  the  following  officers  were  appointed 
June  25  :  — 

Samuel  Nichols Major. 

Andrew  Porter Captain. 

Joseph  Hardy 

Samuel  Shaw 

Benjamin  Deane 

Robert  Mullin 

John  Stuart  

Daniel  Henderson First  Lieutenant. 

David  Lowe " 

Franklin  Read " 

Peregrine  Brown " 

Thomas  Pownal " 

James  McClure Second  Lieutenant 

William  Gilmore " 

Ahel  Morgan " 

Hugh  Montgomery " 

Richard  Harrison " 

Other  appointments  during  the  same  year  succeeded  as  follows  : 
July  22,  Captains,  George  J.  Osborn  and  Richard  Palmer;  First 
Lieutenant,  Stephen  Meade;  Second  Lieutenants,  Nathaniel 
Thwing  and  benjamin  Thompson;  July  24,  First  Lieutenant, 
Abraham  Van  Dyke  ;  August  24,  First  Lieutenant,  Louis  de  la 
Valette ;  September  6,  Captain  William  Nicholson. 

The  following  was  the  uniform  for  the  officers  of  the  Corps, 


Services  During  the   War  of  the  Revolution.  35 

by  order  of  the  "Marine  Committee/'  dated  Philadelphia,  Sep- 
tember 5,  1776:  "A  green  coat  faced  with  white,  round  cuff, 
slashed  sleeves  and  pockets,  with  buttons  round  the  cuff,  silver 
epaulette  on  the  right  shoulder,  skirts  turned  back,  buttons  to 
suit  the  facings  ;  white  waistcoat  and  breeches  edged  with  green, 
black  gaiters  and  garters ; "  green  shirts  were  ordered  for  the 
men,  "if  they  can  be  procured." 

1777.  — During  the  following  year,  the  Marines  participated 
in  and  won   the  first  fight  in  the  history  of  the  Regular  Navy. 
Lord  Dunmore,  with  the  British  force  under  his  command,  had 
collected  a  considerable  store  of  provisions  at  New  Providence, 
and  had  done  much  injury  along  the  American  coast,  principally 
confining  his  attention  to  the  shore  of  Virginia.     Commodore 
Hopkins  of    the   American   Navy  was  ordered    to   proceed  to 
Avaco  in  the  Bahamas,  where  his  squadron  was   to  rendezvous, 
and  from  thence  to  operate  against  the  force  of  Lord  Dunmore,' 
Commodore  Hopkins,  with  his  squadron,  set  sail  in  the  middle 
of  February,  and  after  a  run  accompanied  by  no  event  of  im- 
portance, arrived  at  the  rendezvous.     His  force  of  vessels  con- 
sisted of  the  Alfred,  carrying  twenty-four  guns ;  the  Columbus, 
twenty;  Doria,  fourteen;  Cabot,  fourteen;  Providence,  twelve; 
Hornet,    ten;    Wasp,    eight;    and   the    Fly,    a   despatch    boat 
Commodore  Hopkins  decided  to  make  an  attack  on  New  Provi- 
dence, if  possible,  capture  the  enemy's  stores,  and  thus  cripple 
Lord  Dunmore's  forces.      Major  Nichols,  the  senior  officer  of 
the  Marines,  was  placed  in  command  of  the  attacking  party, 
which  consisted  of  three  hundred  Marines  and  landsmen.     The 
action  was  a  most  brilliant  and  successful  one,  Major  Nichols  ob- 
taining complete  possession  of  the  place  with  its  forts  and  other 
defences  in  a  few  hours.     In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  authorities 
at  New  Providence  succeeded  in  removing  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  stores,  a  large  quantity  of  cannon,  etc.,  fell  into  the  hands 
of    the    Americans.     The    attention    of    the    nation    has  since 
that  time  been  so  absorbed  by  other  important  events  that  the 
action  at  New  Providence  is  almost  forgotten ;  but  the  story  of 


36  Services  During  the   War  of  the  Revolution. 

the  battle  will  ever  form  an  important  chapter  in  our  history, 
inasmuch  as  it  was,  as  has  already  been  stated,  the  first  fight  in 
the  records  of  the  Regular  Navy.  And  the  event  will  ever 
possess  great  interest  for  the  Marines,  since  it  demonstrated  the 
spirit  and  steadiness  which  have  always  been  characteristic  of 
the  Corps.  • 

1778.  —  On  the  24th  of  April,  1778,  in  the  action  between  the 
American  Continental  Ship  Ranger,  Captain  John  Paul  Jones, 
and  the  British  Ship  Drake,  off  Carrickfergus,  the  Marine  officer, 
Lieutenant  Wallingford,  was  killed,  at  the  head  of  his  men.  On 
the  23rd  of  September,  1779,  in  the  action  between  the  Bon  Hom- 
me Richard,  Captain  John  Paul  Jones,  and  the  British  Frigate 
Serapis,  the  following  officers  served  with  the  detachment  of  Ma- 
rines on  board  :  Lieutenant  Colonel  Stack  commanding  ;  Lieuten- 
ants Macarty  and  O'Kelly.  The  following  officers  of  Marines 
served  on  board  the  Frigate  Alliance,  Captain  Peter  Landais, 
October  3,  1779  :  Captain  Park  commanding;  First  Lieutenant, 
Thomas  Ellenwood ;  Second  Lieutenant,  James  Warren. 

1779.  —  In  the  spring  of  1779,  the  British  leaders  conceived 
the  idea  that  it  was  essential  to  their  interests  that  a  military 
post  be  established  on  the  coast  of  Maine.  With  that  object  in 
view,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  from  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia, 
for  the  invasion  of  that  district.  About  one  thousand  men  were 
detached  from  the  Seventy-fourth  and  Eighty-second  regiments 
of  Royal  Artillery,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Brigadier 
General  McLane ;  the  ships  North,  Nautilus  and  Albany,  each 
of  sixteen  guns,  were  used  as  convoys,  Captain  Mowat  in  com- 
mand. This  was  not  the  first  time  that  Mowat  had  invaded  the 
shores  of  Maine,  for  it  was  but  a  few  years  before  that  he  had 
deliberately  burned  the  town  of  Portland,  then  called  Falmouth, 
to  the  ground.  His  name  was  still  one  of  terror  to  the  people 
of  that  vicinity,  and  it  was  a  source  of  great  sorrow  to  them, 
on  the  1 6th  of  June,  that  this  infamous  man  again  landed  on 
their  shores.  Castine,  near  the  entrance  of  the  Penobscot 
river,  was  selected  as  the  spot  upon  which  to  establish  the  post, 


Services  During  the   War  of  the  Revolution.  37 

and  the  erection  of  a  fort  was  immediately  begun.  Batteries 
were  established  upon  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  the  ships  of 
war  were  advantageously  disposed  of  in  the  harbor.  These 
dispositions  having  been  made,  the  invasion  was  considered 
accomplished.  But  the  people  of  Massachusetts  would  not 
quietly  submit  to  allow  the  enemy's  foot  to  rest  undisturbed  on 
their  territory,  —  Maine  being  but  a  district  of  Massachusetts  at 
that  time.  The  spirit  which  led  to  the  belief,  since  the  evacua- 
tion of  Boston,  that  the  British  dared  not  invade  Massachusetts, 
still  prevailed,  and  when  the  news  of  the  landing  at  Castine  was 
received  at  Boston,  the  excitement  was  intense.  It  was  immedi- 
ately resolved  to  send  an  armed  fleet  to  the  scene.  The  Legisla- 
ture of  Massachusetts  was  called  upon,  and,  the  appeal  being  fav- 
orably received  by  that  body,  orders  were  issued  for  detaching  a 
force  of  fifteen  hundred  men  from  the  State  militia,  and  the 
Board  of  War  was  authorized  to  engage  armed  ships  for  the 
service.  Application  to  Congress  for  aid  was  also  successful, 
and  the  fleet  was  rapidly  fitted  out.  The  United  States  Frigate 
Warren,  of  thirty-two  guns,  was  loaned  for  the  expedition ;  she 
carried  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tain Saltonstall,  who  was  also  made  commodore  of  the  whole 
fleet.  Congress  also  granted  the  use  of  two  sloops  of  war,  the 
Diligence  and  the  Providence,  of  fourteen  and  twelve  guns 
respectively,  then  lying  in  Boston  harbor;  the  former  vessel 
carried  ninety  men,  and  was  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Brown,  and  the  latter  seventy  men,  Captain  Hacker,  master. 

The  government  of  Massachusetts  furnished  three  vessels,  as 
follows:  the  Tyrannicide,  of  fourteen  guns,  Captain  Cathcart, 
ninety  men ;  the  Active,  sixteen  guns,  Captain  Hallet,  one  hun- 
dred men  ;  the  Hazard,  fourteen  guns,  Captain  Williams,  ninety 
men.  Thirteen  vessels  were  also  hired  by  the  government  of 
Massachusetts,  from  citizens  of  Boston,  Salem  and  Newbury, 
and  fitted  up  for  the  expedition.  The  Hampden,  Captain  Sal- 
ter, of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  carried  twenty  guns  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty  men ;  the  Pallas,  Captain  Johnson,  four- 


38  Services  During  the   War  of  the  Revolution. 

teen  guns  and  eighty  men ;  the  Sky  Rocket,  Captain  Burke,  six- 
teen guns  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  men ;  the  Black  Prince, 
Captain  West,  eighteen  guns,  one  hundred  and  sixty  men ;  the 
Hector,  Captain  Carnes,  eighteen  guns,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men ;  the  Monmouth,  Captain  Ross,  twenty  guns,  one  hundred 
and  sixty  men ;  the  Hunter,  Captain  Brown,  twenty  guns,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  ;  the  Sally,  Captain  Holmes,  twenty  guns, 
one  hundred  and  eighty  men ;  the  Putnam,  Captain  Waters, 
twenty  guns,  one  hundred  and  seventy  men;  the  Vengeance, 
Captain  Thomas,  eighteen  guns,  one  hundred  and  ninety  men. 
The  Revenge,  of  eighteen  guns,  and  the  Defence,  of  fourteen, 
carried  one  hundred  and  fifty  and  eighty  men  respectively,  but 
the  names  of  their  masters  are  not  known.  There  was  also  a 
schooner  of  eight  guns,  carrying  forty  men,  whose  captain's 
name  has  not  been  preserved.  A  remarkable  fact,  showing  the 
enthusiasm  which  existed  in  the  cause,  is  that  no  less  than 
thirty  masters  of  merchant  ships  in  Newburyport  volunteered  as 
common  seamen  on  board  the  Vengeance,  and  in  deference  to 
the  superior  age  and  experience  of  one  of  these,  Captain  Thom- 
as, Captain  Dennis  relinquished  the  command  of  the  ship,  him- 
self acting  as  lieutenant. 

The  command  of  the  land  forces  was  given  to  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Lovell,  an  officer  whose  superior  merit  had  gained  him  a 
great  reputation  for  courage  and  skill.  Unfortunately,  however, 
some  delay  had  prevented  a  portion  of  the  militia  from  arriving 
at  Townsend,  the  place  of  rendezvous  in  Maine,  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  upon  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  of  armed  ships  and  trans- 
ports punctually  on  the  day  named,  the  general  found  but  nine 
hundred  of  the  militia  instead  of  the  promised  fifteen  hundred. 
This  was  a  great  disappointment  to  all  the  party,  but  for  numer- 
ous reasons,  the  greatest  despatch  was  necessary,  and  delay 
would  have  chafed  the  spirits  of  the  brave  men  who  were  ready 
for  work,  so  that,  after  careful  consideration  of  the  subject,  it 
was  decided  in  a  council  of  war  to  proceed  at  once.  The 
militia  therefore  embarked  on  board  the  transports  which  had 


Services  During  the   War  of  the  Revolution.  39 

been  provided  for  them,  and  accompanied  by  the  armed  vessels, 
with  three  hundred  Marines,  sailed  from  Townsend,  arriving  at 
the  place  of  destination  on  the  25th  of  July. 

So  well,  however,  had  the  British  defences  been  arranged 
that  it  was  not  until  the  28th  that  a  landing  was  effected.  This 
was  at  last  accomplished  by  the  Marines  and  the  militia,  the 
place  chosen  for  a  landing  being  at  the  foot  of  a  precipitous 
height  which  rose  abruptly  and  almost  perpendicularly  from  the 
river.  The  advance  guards  of  the  British  force  were  stationed 
in  a  wood  on  the  top  of  this  very  eminence.  According  to 
General  LovelFs  previous  orders,  the  seamen  put  off  from  the 
shore  immediately  after  the  men  had  landed.  The  word  to 
advance  was  then  given,  and  the  intrepid  body  of  Marines  and 
militia  met  their  own  number  of  Scotch  regulars,  and  with  such 
unabated  ardor  and  zeal  was  the  battle  pushed,  that  the 
enemy  was  driven  back  within  their  works.  But  this  step 
was  only  gained  at  a  great  sacrifice  to  the  patriots,  for  sev- 
eral officers  of  merit  were  slain,  and  of  the  Marines  and  militia 
about  one  hundred  were  killed  and  wounded.  Many  acts 
of  heroic  courage  on  the  part  of  the  Marines,  seamen  and 
militia  signalized  the  affair,  reflecting  the  highest  credit  upon 
all.  Upon  reconnoitring,  however,  General  Lovell  found  that 
the  enemy  had  entrenched  themselves  so  securely,  and  their 
defences  were  of  such  strength,  that  it  would  be  worse  than 
useless  to  attack  them  in  their  stronghold,  until  reinforcements 
could  be  obtained.  Neither  was  Commodore  Saltonstall  willing 
to  attempt  the  destruction  of  the  British  ships  lying  in  the  har- 
bor, even  after  their  batteries  had  been  seized.  A  council  of 
war  was  called,  and  it  was  decided  to  send  for  reinforcements, 
and  to  suspend  operations  until  they  should  arrive. 

Help,  however,  did  not  arrive  as  soon  as  it  was  expected,  and 
in  the  meantime  the  British  had  also  sent  for  assistance,  which 
was  despatched  promptly;  and  on  the  14th  of  August  a  British 
fleet  from  New  York,  under  the  command  of  Sir  George  Collier, 
sailed  into  the  harbor.     This  fleet  comprised  the  Raisonnable,  of 


40  Services  During  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

sixty-four  guns,  and  the  Frigates  Blonde,  Virginia,  Greyhound, 
Galatea,  and  Camilla.  This  arrival  was  a  great  blow  to  the 
Americans,  who  saw  at  once  that  the  project  of  driving  out 
the  British  must  be  abandoned,  flight  being  the  only  recourse 
left  them.  He  sent  the  news  to  General  Lovell,  who  was  on 
land  with  his  forces  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  prepara- 
tions were  at  once  made  to  evacuate  the  position  which  they 
held.  Before  dawn  the  little  army,  with  baggage  and  equip- 
ments, was  on  board  the  transports,  and  sailing  up  the  river,  the 
only  direction  open  to  them.  But  their  flight  was  immediately 
discovered  by  the  enemy,  who  started  in  pursuit.  It  was  not  long 
before  it  became  evident  that  even  escape  was  impossible,  and 
to  prevent  the  valuable  fleet  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
British,  all  but  three  vessels  were  destroyed.  These  three  were 
captured.  Thus  ended  a  fight  which,  had  the  militia  been 
trained  and  disciplined  as  were  the  Marines,  would  have  ended 
in  victory  for  the  Americans,  and  would  have  ranked  in  impor- 
tance, in  the  history  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  with  the 
battles  of  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill. 


CHAPTER  II. 

AFTER   THE    REVOLUTION. — SETTLING   UP   THE   ACCOUNTS  OF  THE 
OLD    NAVY. ATTEMPTS    AT   REORGANIZATION. 

DURING  that  period,  following  the  Revolution,  when  the 
United  States  had  no  naval  force  of  importance,  efforts 
were  successfully  made  to  close  up  the  accounts  of  the  old  Navy, 
in  order  to  organize  a  new  and  efficient  department.  On  the 
ist  of  August,  1787,  an  Act  of  Congress  was  passed,  providing 
"That  the  commissioner  of  Marine  accounts,  in  settling  the 
accounts  of  the  officers,  seamen,  and  Marines  of  the  late  Navy 
of  the  United  States,  govern  himself  by  the  principles  estab- 
lished for  the  line  of  the  Army,  by  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the 
10th  of  April,  1780,  so  far  as  the  same  relates  to  the  allowance 
for  depreciation  j  provided,  that  no  officer,  seaman,  or  Marine 
be  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this  resolve  who  was  not  in  service, 
or  liable  to  be  called  into  service,  on  the  10th  of  April,  1780. 

l78o.  —  On  the  8th  of  January,  1780,  it  was  provided  by  Act 
of  Congress,  "That  the  Marines  of  the  Navy  of  the  United 
States,  whilst  doing  garrison  duty,  be  allowed  the  same  subsis- 
tence moneys  as  are  allowed  to  the  officers  of  the  line  of  the 
Army." 

I794.  — The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  Act  of  Congress, 
passed  March  27,  1794  :  — 

Whereas,  the  depredations  committed  by  the  Algerine  cor- 
sairs on  the  commerce  of  the  United  States  render  it  necessary 
that  a  naval  force  should  be  provided  for  its  protection : 

41 


42  After  the  Revolution. 

Section  i.  Be  it  therefore  enacted,  &c,  That  the  President 
of  the  United  States  be  authorized  to  provide,  by  purchase  or 
otherwise,  equip  and  employ  four  ships,  to  carry  forty-four  guns 
each,  and  two  ships  to  carry  thirty-six  guns  each. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  there  shall  be  em- 
ployed on  boarc}  each  of  the  said  ships  of  forty-four  guns,  one 
captain,  four  lieutenants,  one  lieutenant  of  Marines,  one  chaplain, 
one  surgeon,  and  two  surgeon's  mates ;  and  in  each  of  the  ships 
of  thirty-six  guns,  one  captain,  three  lieutenants,  one  lieutenant 
of  Marines,  one  surgeon,  and  one  surgeon's  mate,  who  shall  be 
appointed  and  commissioned  in  like  manner  as  other  officers  of 
the  United  States  are. 

Sec.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  crews  of  each 
of  the  said  ships  of  forty-four  guns  shall  consist  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  seamen,  one  hundred  and  three  midshipmen  and  ordi- 
nary seamen,  one  sergeant,  one  corporal,  one  drum,  one  fife,  and 
fifty  Marines :  and  that  the  crews  of  each  of  the  said  ships  of 
thirty-six  guns  shall  consist  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  able  sea- 
men and  midshipmen,  ninety  ordinary  seamen,  one  sergeant, 
two  corporals,  one  drum,  one  fife,  and  forty  Marines,  over  and 
above  the  officers  herein  before  mentioned. 

Sec.  9.  That  if  a  peace  shall  take  place  between  the  United 
States  and  the  Regency  of  Algiers,  that  no  farther  proceeding 
be  had  under  this  act. 

1797.  —  The  following  Act  was  approved  July  1, 1797  :  — 

Sec.  1.  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  empowered,  should  he  deem  it  expedient,  to  cause  the 
Frigates  United  States,  Constitution,  and  Constellation  to  be 
manned  and  employed. 

Sec.  2.  That  there  shall  be  employed  on  board  each  of  the 
ships  of  forty-four  guns,  one  captain,  four  lieutenants,  two  lieu- 
tenants of  Marines,  one  chaplain,  one  surgeon,  and  two  surgeon's 
mates ;  and  in  the  ship  of  thirty-six  guns,  one  captain,  three 


After  the  Revolution.  43 

lieutenants,  one  lieutenant  of  Marines,  one  surgeon,  and  one 
surgeon's  mate. 

Sec.  4.  That  the  crews  of  each  of  the  ships  of  forty-four 
guns  shall  consist  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  seamen,  one  hun- 
dred and  three  midshipmen  and  ordinary  seamen,  three  ser- 
geants, three  corporals,  one  drum,  one  fife,  and  fifty  Marines ; 
and  that  the  crew  of  the  ship  of  thirty-six  guns  shall  consist  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty  able  seamen  and  midshipmen,  ninety 
ordinary  seamen,  two  sergeants,  two  corporals,  one  drum,  one 
fife,  and  forty  Marines,  over  and  above  the  officers  herein  before 
mentioned. 

Sec.  14.  That  this  Act  shall  continue  in  force  for  the  term 
of^  one  year,  and  from  thence  to  the  end  of  the  then  next  session 
of  Congress,  and  no  longer. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM    1798    TO    1805.—  REORGANIZATION   OF    THE   CORPS. — THE 
WAR   WITH    TRIPOLI,  ETC. 

THE  time  of  service  of  the  Corps  ended,  by  the  terms  of  the 
act  of  November  10,  1775,  with  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. In  many  scenes  of  danger  and  conflict  the  Marines  had 
turned  the  tide  of  battle  in  favor  of  the  American  forces.  Both 
military  and  naval  officers  bore  testimony  to  the  bravery  and 
efficiency  of  the  Corps.  Whether  in  conflicts  on  land  or  in  the 
sea-fights,  where  our  forces  contended  with  those  of  the  mother 
country,  the  Marines  won  distinction  for  themselves,  and  contrib- 
uted in  no  small  degree  to  the  final  success  of  the  American 
cause.  At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  the  Corps  was  dis- 
banded, but  Congress,  recognizing  the  value  of  such  an  estab- 
lishment, provided  for  the  re-formation  of  the  organization,  and 
laid  the  foundation  for  the  present  efficient  force.  On  the  nth 
of  July,  1798,  an  act  was  approved  "for  the  establishing  and  or- 
ganizing a  Marine  Corps."  This  act  provided  that,  in  addition 
to  the  military  establishment  there  should  be  raised  and  organ- 
ized a  Corps  of  Marines,  to  consist  of  one  major,  four  captains, 
sixteen  first  lieutenants,  twelve  second  lieutenants,  forty-eight 
sergeants,  forty-eight  corporals,  thirty-two  drums  and  fifes,  and 
seven  hundred  and  twenty  privates,  including  the  Marines 
already  enlisted,  or  authorized  to  be  raised  for  the  naval  arma- 
ment. The  Corps  was  to  be  formed  into  as  many  companies  or 
detachments  as  the  President  should  direct,  with  a  proper  dis- 
tribution of  the  commissioned  and  non-commissioned  officers  and 
44 


Reorganization  of  the  Corps.  45 

musicians  to  each  company  or  detachment.  That  the  pay  and 
subsistence  of  the  officers,  privates  and  musicians  was  fixed  as 
follows  :  To  a  major,  fifty  dollars  per  month  and  four  rations  per 
day  j  to  a  captain,  forty  dollars  per  month  and  three  rations  per 
day;  to  a  first  lieutenant,  thirty  dollars  per  month  and  three 
rations  per  day ;  to  a  second  lieutenant,  twenty-five  dollars  per 
month  and  two  rations  per  day ;  and  to  the  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers, privates  and  musicians,  conformably  to  the  act,  entitled  "  An 
act  providing  a  naval  armament,"  as  should  be  fixed  by  the  Presi- 
dent. The  President  was  authorized  to  continue  the  enlistment 
of  Marines,  until  the  Corps  should  be  complete ;  and  to  appoint 
the  commissioned  officers,  whenever,  in  the  recess  of  the  Senate, 
an  appointment  should  be  necessary.  The  enlistments  were  to 
be  for  the  term  of  three  years,  subject  to  discharge  by  the  Pres- 
ident, or  by  the  ceasing  or  repeal  of  the  laws  providing  for  the 
naval  armament.  If  the  Marine  Corps,  or  any  part  of  it,  should 
be  ordered  by  the  President  to  do  duty  on  shore,  and  it  should 
become  necessary  to  appoint  an  adjutant,  paymaster,  quarter- 
master, sergeant-major,  quartermaster-sergeant,  and  drum  and 
fife  major,  or  any  of  them,  the  major  or  commandant  of  the 
Corps  was  authorized  to  appoint  such  staff-officer  or  officers 
from  the  line  of  subalterns,  sergeants  and  musicians  respec- 
tively, who  should  be  entitled,  during  the  time  they  should  do 
such  duty,  to  the  same  extra  pay  and  emoluments  which  were 
allowed  by  law  to  officers  acting  in  the  same  capacities  in  the 
infantry. 

It  was  further  provided  that  the  detachments  of  the  Corps  of 
Marines,  thus  authorized,  should  be  made  in  lieu  of  the  respec- 
tive quotas  of  Marines,  which  had  been  established  or  author- 
ized for  the  frigates,  and  other  armed  vessels  and  galleys  which 
should  be  employed  in  the  service  of  the  United  States.  The 
President  was  authorized  to  detach  and  appoint  such  of  the  offi- 
cers of  this  Marine  Corps  to  act  on  board  the  frigates  and  any 
of  the  armed  vessels  of  the  United  States  respectively,  as  he 
should  from  time  to  time  judge  necessary,  any  thing  in  the  act 


46  Reorganization  of,  the  Corps. 

"  providing  a  naval  armament "  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 
The  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  privates  and  musicians 
were  to  take  the  same  oath,  and  be  governed  by  the  same  rules 
and  articles  of  war  as  were  prescribed  for  the  military  establish- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  rules  for  the  regulation 
of  the  Navy,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  service  in  which 
they  should  be  employed,  and  should  be  entitled  to  the  same  al- 
lowance, in  case  of  wounds  or  disabilities,  according  to  their 
respective  ranks,  as  were  granted  by  the  "  Act  to  ascertain  and 
fix  the  military  establishment  of  the  United  States."  It  was 
provided  that  "  the  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians,  sea- 
men and  Marines,  who  are  or  shall  be  enlisted  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  and  the  non-commissioned  officers  and 
musicians  who  are  or  shall  be  enlisted  into  the  army  of  the 
United  States,  shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby  exempted,  during 
the  term  of  service,  from  all  personal  arrests  for  any  debt  or  con- 
tract." It  was  specially  provided  that  the  Marine  Corps,  estab- 
lished by  this  act,  should,  at  any  time,  be  liable  to  do  duty  in 
the  forts  and  garrisons  of  the  United  States,  on  the  sea-coast,  or 
any  other  duty  on  shore  as  the  President,  at  his  discretion, 
should  direct. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  Corps  in  1798  :  — 


MAJOR   COMMANDANT. 

Date. 
William  W.  Burrows 12  July,  1798. 


CAPTAINS. 

Daniel  Carmick 3  August,  1798. 

Lemuel  Clark 3  August,  1798. 

George  Memminger 3  August,  1798. 

Franklin  Wharton 3  August,  1798. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANTS. 

Richard  Harwood 10  July,  1798. 

S.  W.  Geddis .        .  26  July,  1798. 


The   War  with  Tripoli 


47 


John  Hall 2  August,  1798. 

Philip  Edwards 3  August,  179S. 

James  McKuight 3  August,  1798. 

James  James 9  August,  1798. 

William  Cammack 1  Sept.,  1798. 

Jonathan  Church 5  Sept.,  1798. 

Bartholomew  Clinch 5  Sept.,  179S. 

Diamond  Colton 5  Sept.,  1798. 

James  Tallman 5  Sept.,  1798. 

Reuben  Lilly 9  Sept.,  1798. 

H.  A.  Williams .28  Sept.,  1798. 

David  Stickney 23  Oct.,  1798. 

Benjamin  Strother 31  Oct.,  1798. 

D.  S.  Wynkoop 16  Nov.,  1798. 


SECOND   LIEUTENANTS. 


William  Amory 
John  L.  Lewis 
John  Maine     . 
Henry  Caldwell 
Anthony  Gale 
Robert  Rankin 
Josiah  Reddick 
John  Darley    . 
Newton  Keene 


25  July,  1798 
9  August,  1798, 
12  August,  1798, 
2  Sept.,  1798 
2  Sept.,  1798 
2  Sept.,  1798 
5  Sept.,  1798 
8  Nov.,  1798, 
22  Dec,  1798 


1803.  —  The  services  of  a  portion  of  the  Marine  Corps  were 
brought  into  active  requisition  in  the  war  between  the  United 
States  and  Tripoli.  In  the  contests  of  that  war,  alike  in  victory 
and  in  defeat,  the  Marines  were  foremost  at  every  point  where 
bravery  and  discipline  could  win  success  or  crown  seeming  fail- 
ure with  the  elements  of  real  triumph.  When  the  brave  Bain- 
bridge,  on  the  31st  of  October,  1803,  in  an  hour  of  misfortune, 
accidentally  ran  the  Philadelphia  on  a  reef,  under  the  guns  of  the 
enemy's  batteries,  the  Marines  made  most  gallant  exertions  to 
prevent  the  ship  being  taken ;  and  when  every  effort  failed, 
and  ship  and  men  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  Lieutenant 
William  Osborne,  who  commanded  the  Marines,  with  his  brother 
officers  and  men,  suffered  all  the  privations  and  horrors  of  a 


48  The   War  with  Tripoli. 

captivity  in  Barbary.  During  the  following  year,  in  the  mem- 
orable attack  of  the  American  forces  on  the  Tripolitan  gun-boats 
on  the  3rd  of  August,  the  Marines  made  a  terrible  and  bloody 
onslaught  on  the  enemy.  A  hand-to-hand  conflict  ensued,  the 
Marines  punishing  the  Tripolitans  fearfully,  and  forcibly  illus- 
trating the  advantage  of  discipline  and  skill  over  the  lack  of  train- 
ing among  the  forces  with  which  they  were  brought  in  contact. 
The  official  report  of  the  fight  gives  great  credit  to  the  Marines, 
and  as  an  incident  of  the  contest,  it  is  stated  that  when  Lieu- 
tenant Trippe,  who  was  engaged  in  a  hand-to-hand  fight  with  a 
Turk,  was  hard  pressed,  a  Turk  aimed  a  blow  at  him  from 
behind,  but  just  before  the  blow  fell,  Sergeant  Meredith  of 
the  Marines  passed  a  bayonet  through  the  Turk's  body. 

I8o5>  —  Among  the  few  Americans  who  accompanied  General 
Eaton  in  his  famous  strategic  move  against  the  usurping  Bashaw 
of  Tripoli,  was  Lieutenant  O'Bannon*  of  the  Marines,  who  took 
an  active  part  in  disciplining  and  leading  the  motley  army  which 
marched  on  Derne  for  the  double  purpose  of  restoring  Hamet 
Caramalli  to  power  and  of  aiding  the  Americans  to  punish 
Jusef  Caramalli,  the  usurper.  The  effect  of  his  efforts  in  that 
direction  were  manifest  in  the  contest  which  followed.  The 
Marines  in  the  expedition  were  from  the  United  States  brig 
Argus,  and  consisted  of  Lieutenant  O'Bannon,  one  sergeant  and 
six  privates,  who  were  relied  upon  to  preserve  discipline,  and  by 
their  example  animate  the  hearts  of  the  mercenaries  employed. 
In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated  at  Alex- 
andria, Feb.  13th,  1805,  General  Eaton  wrote:  "Those  prov- 
inces in  our  possession  will  cut  off  from  the  enemy  and  turn 
into  our  own  channel  a  source  of  provisions,  and  will  open  a 
free  intercourse  with  the  interior  of  the  country.  I  have 
requested  of  the  Commodore  for. this  purpose  an  hundred 
stands  of  arms,  with  cartridges  and  two  field-pieces  with  trains 
and  ammunition  ;  and  also  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  Marines, 
if  necessary,  to  lead  a  coup  de  main" 

From  General  Eaton's  journal  it  appears  that  on  Sunday, 


The   War  with  Tripoli.  49 

March  3,  1805,  the  Army  under  his  command  left  Alexandria  on 
its  march  to  Derne.  Included  in  the  force  were  but  nine  Amer- 
icans, Lieutenant  O'Bannon,  Mr.  Peck,  one  sergeant  and  six 
privates  of  the  Marine  Corps.  Including  the  footmen  and 
camel-drivers,  the  whole  force  numbered  about  four  hundred. 
This  caravan  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  seven  camels  and  a 
few  asses.  After  marching  two  hundred  miles,  eighty  mounted 
warriors  joined  the  Bashaw.  Provisions  had  been  reduced  to 
hard  bread  and  rice.  From  Alexandria  to  that  point  there  was 
not  a  living  stream  or  rivulet  or  spring  of  water.  A  few 
days  later,  forty-seven  tents  of  Arabs  joined  them,  with  their 
families  and  movables.  In  this  detachment  were  one  hundred 
and  fifty  warriors  on  foot.  On  March  30th,  General  Eaton 
wrote :  "  From  Alexandria  to  this  place,  we  have  experienced 
continual  altercations,  contentions  and  delays  among  the  Arabs. 
They  have  no  sense  of  patriotism,  truth  or  honor;  and  no 
attachment  where  they  have  no  prospect  of  gain,  except  to  their 
religion,  to  which  they  are  enthusiasts.  Poverty  makes  them 
thieves,  and  practice  renders  them  adroit  in  stealing." 

April  9th  he  wrote:  "Advanced  ten  miles.  Good  water. 
In  the  cistern  were  two  dead  men ;  probably  murdered  by  Arabs. 
Obliged  to  drink  the  water,  however."  On  the  following  day  a 
courier  arrived  from  Derne.  April  14th,  at  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  they 
reached  Bonda.  But  their  astonishment  was  great  to  find  at 
this  port  "  not  the  foot  trace  of  a  human  being,  nor  a  drop  of 
water."  The  next  morning  the  Argus,  Captain  Hull,  arrived, 
and  on  the  17th  the  sloop  Hornet  arrived  with  provisions.  On 
the  18th  the  march  was  resumed.  On  the  24th  they  marched 
fifteen  miles  over  mountainous  and  broken  ground,  covered  with 
herbage  and  beautiful  red  cedars,  "  the  first  resemblance  of  a 
forest  tree,"  wrote  General  Eaton,  "we  have  seen  during  a 
march  of  nearly  six  hundred  miles." 

Arriving  before  Derne,  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  terms  of 
amity  were  offered  the  Bey,  on  condition  of  allegiance  and 
fidelity.     The    flag  of  truce  was  sent  back  with  this   laconic 


50  The  War  with  Tripoli. 

answer,  "  My  head  or  yours  ! "  The  next  day  the  assault  on 
Derne  was  begun.  The  Hornet,  Lieutenant  commandant 
Evans,  having  run  close  in,  and  anchored  within  pistol  shot  of 
a  battery  of  eight  guns,  opened  her  fire.  The  Nautilus  lay  at  a 
little  distance  to  the  eastward,  and  the  Argus  still  further  in  the 
same  direction,  the  two  latter  firing  on  the  town  and  battery. 
The  enemy  made  an  irregular  but  spirited  defence,  keeping  up 
a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  as  the  assailants  advanced,  from 
behind  houses  and  walls.  At  half-past  three,  however,  Lieuten- 
ant O'Bannon  and  Mr.  Mann  stormed  the  principal  work,  haul- 
ing down  the  Tripolitan  ensign,  and,  for  the  first  time  in  his- 
tory, hoisting  the  stars  and  stripes  of  the  Republic  on  a  for- 
tress of  the  Old  World.  The  enemy  was  driven  out  of  the 
work  with  so  much  precipitation  that  he  left  his  guns  loaded 
and  even  primed.  The  cannon  were  immediately  turned  upon 
the  town,  and  Hamet  Caramalli,  having  made  a  lodgment  on 
the  other  side,  so  as  to  bring  the  enemy  between  two  fires,  the 
place  submitted. 

During  the  fight,  a  detachment,  consisting  of  six  American 
Marines,  a  company  of  twenty-four  cannoniers,  and  another 
of  twenty-six  Greeks,  including  their  proper  officers,  acted 
under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant  O'Bannon.  It 
was  with  this  force  that  the  brave  O'Bannon  passed  through 
a  shower  of  musketry  from  the  walls  of  the  houses ;  took  pos- 
session of  the  battery;  planted  the  American  flag  upon  its 
ramparts ;  and  turned  its  guns  upon  the  enemy.  In  his  official 
report  of  the  affair,  General  Eaton  said :  "  The  details  I  have 
given  of  Mr.  O'Bannon's  conduct  need  no  encomium,  and  it  is 
believed  the  disposition  of  our  government  have  always  discov- 
ered to  encourage  merit  will  be  extended  to  this  intrepid,  judi- 
cious and  enterprising  officer.  I  am  bound,  also,  by  a  sense  of 
well  merited  esteem,  to  mention  to  your  particular  patronage  a 
young  English  gentleman,  Mr.  Farquhar,  who  has  volunteered 
in  our  expedition  through  the  desert,  and  has,  in  all  cases  of 
difficulty,  exhibited  a  firmness  and  attachment  well  deserving 


The  War  with  Tripoli.  51 

my  gratitude  \  if  compatible  with  our  establishments,  I  request 
you  will  ensure  him  a  lieutenancy  in  the  Marine  Corps."  Lieu- 
tenant O'Bannon  resigned  two  years  afterward. 

1809. —  Early  in  1809,  the  Marine  Corps  was  augmented  by 
an  addition  of  nearly  seven  hundred  men,  which  probably  put 
this  important  branch  of  the  Navy  on  a  footing  equal  to  the 
rest  of  the  service,  as  it  then  existed  \  the  entire  Corps  contain- 
ing about  thirteen  hundred  men  when  full. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   WAR   OF     l8l2. LIEUTENANT    GAMBLE'S     EXPLOITS.  —  THE 

FIGHTS   ON   THE   LAKES,    ETC. 

IN  the  action  between  the  Constitution  and  the  British  Frigate 
Guerriere,  August  19,  18 12,  Lieutenant  Bush,  of  the  Marines, 
fell  at  the  head  of  his  men  in  preparing  to  board  the  enemy.  Cap- 
tain Hull,  in  his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  says  of 
Lieutenant  Bush :  "  In  him  our  country  has  lost  a  valuable  and 
brave  officer."  After  the  fall  of  Lieutenant  Bush,  Lieutenant 
Contee  of  the  Corps,  took  command  of  the  Marines,  and  his  con- 
duct was  that  of  a  brave,  good  officer.  The  Marines  behaved  with 
great  coolness  and  courage  during  the  action.  In  the  engage- 
ment between  the  United  States  and  the  Macedonian,  on  the 
25th  of  October,  the  Marines  of  the  United  States  showed  the 
utmost  steadiness  and  good  conduct  under  the  example  of  their 
gallant  commanders,  Lieutenant  William  Anderson  and  Lieu- 
tenant J.  L.  Edwards,  the  weight  of  the  enemy's  fire  passing  a 
short  distance  above  their  heads. 

On  the  28th  of  May,  in  the  following  year,  as  Captain  Porter 
of  the  Essex  had  four  large  prizes  in  company,  besides  the 
Georgiana  and  the  Barclay,  it  became  necessary  to  put  the 
Marine  officer,  Lieutenant  Gamble,  in  charge  of  one  of  them, 
when  he  shaped  his  course  for  Tumbez,  on  the  Continent,  where 
he  anchored  on  the  19th  of  June.  In  the  following  November, 
a  fort  was  constructed  on  a  small  conical  hill,  near  the  water, 
52 


The  War  of  1812.  53 

the  command  of  which  was  given  to  Lieutenant  Gamble,  who 
is  described  as  "  a  spirited  and  intelligent  young  officer." 

On  the  1 2th  of  April,  Mr.  Gamble  began  to  rig  the  Seringa- 
patam  and  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  with  the  intention  of 
quitting  the  islands,  the  long  absence  of  the  Essex  inducing  him 
to  despair  of  her  return.  Symptoms  of  a  mutiny  showed  them- 
selves, and  he  had  all  the  arms  and  ammunition  carried  on 
board  the  Greenwich,  in  which  vessel  he  lived.  The  mutineers, 
however,  took  the  Seringapatam  on  the  7  th  of  May.  Mr. 
Gamble  was  badly  wounded  in  the  foot  by  a  pistol  ball  during 
the  fight.  He  made  every  exertion  to  get  to  sea  with  the  Sir 
Andrew  Hammond,  but  on  the  9th  the  natives  made  an  attack, 
and  one  officer  and  three  men  were  killed,  and  one  other  was 
severely  wounded.  The  situation  of  those  remaining  became 
exceedingly  critical,  the  whole  party  consisting  of  only  eight 
individuals,  of  whom  two  were  badly  wounded,  one  was  crip- 
pled, and  another  was  just  recovering  from  a  serious  attack  of 
scurvy.  In  fact  there  were  but  four  men  on  board  the  Sir 
Andrew  Hammond  fit  for  duty.  With  this  small  force  the  vessel 
was  put  to  sea,  and,  without  a  chart,  Lieutenant  Gamble  made 
his  way  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  which  he  reached  in  seventeen 
days,  only,  however,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  He 
and  his  crew  were  carried  on  board  the  Cherub,  where  they 
learned  of  the  fate  of  the  Essex.  He  was  carried  to  Rio 
Janeiro,  whence,  in  the  following  August,  he  was  allowed  to 
return  to  New  York.  His  services  won  the  highest  praises  of 
his  superiors. 

1813. — On  the  14th  of  July,  1813,  Commodore  Porter  wrote  as 
follows  to  Lieutenant  Gamble :  "  Allow  me  to  return  to  you 
my  thanks  for  your  handsome  conduct  in  bringing  the  Seringa- 
patam to  action,  which  greatly  facilitated  her  capture,  while  it 
prevented  the  possibility  of  her  escape.  Be  assured,  sir,  I  shall 
make  a  suitable  representation  of  the  affair  to  the  honorable 
Secretary  of  the  Navy."  In  a  subsequent  communication  to  the 
Navy    Department,    Commodore    Porter    wrote    as    follows: 


54  The  War  of  1812. 

"  Captain  Gamble  at  all  times  greatly  distinguished  himself  by 
his  activity  in  every  enterprise  engaged  in  by  the  force  under 
my  command,  and  in  many  critical  encounters  by  the  natives  of 
Madison's  Island,  rendered  essential  services,  and  at  all  times 
distinguished  himself  by  his  coolness  and  bravery.  I  therefore 
do,  with  pleasure,  recommend  him  to  the  Department  as  an 
officer  deserving  of  its  patronage."  And  again  he  wrote:  "I 
now  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  of  assuring  you  that  no 
Marine  officer  in  the  service  ever  had  such  strong  claims  as 
Captain  Gamble,  and  that  none  have  been  placed  in  such  con- 
spicuous and  critical  situations,  and  that  none  could  have  extri- 
cated themselves  from  them  more  to  their  honor."  On  the  18th 
of  June,  18 14,  Lieutenant  Gamble  was  commissioned  a  captain  \ 
on  the  19th  of  April,  1816,  he  was  brevetted  a  major  ;  March 
3rd,  1827,  he  was  made  a  lieutenant-colonel,  by  brevet;  July 
1st,  1836,  he  was  made  a  full  major,  and  he  died  September 
nth,  1836. 

In  the  action  between  the  Shannon  and  Chesapeake,  June 
1  st,  18 1 2,  Lieutenant  Broom  of  the  Marines  was  mortally 
wounded ;  Marines  killed,  eleven ;  wounded,  twenty.  June 
20th,  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  fourteen  vessels, 
ran  into  Hampton  Roads,  and  ascended  with  the  tide  to  the 
mouth  of  James  river,  where  they  made  preparations  to  send  up 
a  large  force  in  boats.  Captain  Cassin,  who  commanded  the 
naval  force  at  Norfolk,  sent  three  of  the  lieutenants  of  the 
Constellation,  Messrs.  Neale,  W.  Branford  Shubrick,  and 
Sanders  on  shore,  with  one  hundred  seamen,  to  take  charge  of 
the  principal  guns.  This  party  was  sustained  by  Lieutenant 
Breckenridge,  of  the  Marines,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men  of  that  Corps.  The  Marines  as  well  as  the  other 
portions  of  the  Navy  employed  on  this  occasion,  gained  great 
credit  for  their  steadiness,  discipline  and  spirit.  The  enemy, 
after  having  three  of  his  boats  sunk,  abandoned  the  attempt. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Marines  killed  and  wounded  on 
board  the  United  States  Squadron,  under  command  of  O.  H. 
Perry,  in  the  action  of  the  10th  of  September,  1813  :  — 


The   War  of  1812.  55 

Lawrence:  —  Killed,  Corporal  Philip  Starpley;  Privates  Jesse 
Harland  and  Abner  Williams;  Wounded,  Privates  James  Bird, 
William  Burnett,  William  Baggs,  David  Christie,  and  Henry 
Vanpool.  Lieutenant  John  Brooks,  commanding  the  Marines, 
was  killed  early  in  the  action.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Hon.  John 
Brooks,  of  Medford,  Mass.,  and  was  an  accomplished  gentleman 
and  brave  officer. 

Niagara: — Wounded,  Sergeant  Mason,  Corporal  Scott, 
Privates  Miller,  John  Rumas,  George  McManomy,  George  Sco- 
field,  and  Samuel  Cochran. 

Early  in  September  it  was  determined  to  make  a  joint  expedi- 
tion against  Burlington  Heights,  in  the  rear  of  the  British  Army, 
where  it  was  supposed  would  be  found  large  magazines  of 
material  and  other  important  stores,  guarded  by  a  limited  force  ; 
and  Colonel  Winfield  Scott,  with  a  competent  detachment,  was 
embarked  on  board  of  Commodore  Chauncey's  fleet  for  their 
capture.  A  landing  and  search  were  made,  but  nothing  of 
value  was  found.  It  being  now  certain  that  the  enemy's  grand 
depot  of  supplies  was  at  York,  Toronto,  the  capital  of  Upper 
Canada,  —  captured  and  evacuated  by  General  Dearborn  in  the 
preceding  April,  —  Chauncey  and  Scott  resolved  to  make  a 
second  descent  upon  that  place.  The  latter,  with  the  Marines 
and  land  troops,  debarked  and  drove  out  the  garrison  after 
a  sharp  encounter,  —  the  fortifications  had  not  been  renewed, — 
and  formed  a  cordon  of  pickets  and  sentinels,  while  the  com- 
modore emptied  the  public  storehouses  of  their  abundant  con- 
tents. 

18 1 4.  —  On  the  nth  of  July,  181 4,  Commodore  Rodgers 
learned  that  four  of  the  enemy's  barges  had  been  repulsed  by 
a  party  of  militia  at  Elkton,  but  that  they  were  expected  to 
return  the  succeeding  night  in  greater  force.  He  ordered  Lieu- 
tenant Morgan  of  the  Navy  to  march  two  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  officers  and  seamen  attached  to  the  flotilla  to  his  assist- 
ance. In  three  hours  and  forty-seven  minutes,  the  whole 
detachment,   completely    armed,  reached   the   Court-house    at 


56  The  War  of  1812. 

Elkton,  carrying  with  them  two  heavy  pieces  of  travelling  artil- 
lery, notwithstanding  the  roads  were  excessively  bad  and  the 
night  very  dark  and  rainy.  Disappointed  in  not  meeting  the 
enemy,  Lieutenant  Morgan,  with  the  main  portion  of  the  de- 
tachment of  sailors,  returned  to  the  flotilla,  their  place  being 
supplied  by  Captain  Gale  and  Lieutenant  Hall,  with  some 
Marines  from  the  Navy  Yard,  added  to  Lieutenant  Kughn  and 
the  detachment  of  Marines  of  the  Guerriere.  On  Lieutenant 
Morgan's  leaving  the  flotilla  with  the  detachment  of  sailors, 
Commodore  Rodgers  ordered  Lieutenant  Gamble,  attending  the 
equipment  of  the  Guerriere,  to  proceed  to  New  Castle  with  the 
seamen  and  Marines,  to  supply  their  place.  On  Lieutenant 
Morgan's  return  to  the  flotilla,  Lieutenant  Gamble  returned  to 
Philadelphia. 

During  the  month  of  August,  the  Adams,  an  American  vessel 
of  twenty-eight  guns,  having  suffered  some  injury,  was  run  up 
the  Penobscot  river  as  far  as  Hampden,  Maine,  for  safety  and 
repairs.  She  was  pursued  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  and 
in  spite  of  the  brave  defence  made  by  the  Marines,  the  Adams 
was  only  kept  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  British  by  being 
burned  by  her  own  men.  The  Marines  were  commanded  by 
Captain  Samuel  E.  Watson. 

In  the  memorable  skirmishes  preceding  the  attack  on  the 
National  Capital,  which  took  place  between  the  British  force 
and  the  flotilla  of  the  famous  Captain  Joshua  Barney,  during 
the  summer  of  18 14,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Pautuxent,  the 
Marines,  under  Captain  Samuel  Miller,  aided  in  an  important 
degree  in  driving  the  enemy  from  his  position.  The  British 
again  went  up  the  Pautuxent  in  force.  Captain  Barney  sent  to 
the  Navy  Department  for  instructions.  The  answer  was  to  land 
the  men,  and  join  the  army  that  was  hurriedly  assembling  for 
the  defence  of  the  coast,  under  General  Winder,  and,  if  pressed, 
to  burn  the  flotilla.  On  the  21st,  news  was  received  that  the 
enemy  had  landed  a  force  of  four  or  five  thousand  men  at  Ben- 
edict, and  that  he  was  marching  in  the  direction  of  Washington. 


The   War  of  1812.  57 

Captain  Barney  immediately  landed  four  hundred  of  his  party, 
leaving  the  vessels,  with  orders  to  those  who  remained,  to  set  fire 
to  them  if  attacked,  and  to  join  the  main  body  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible.  The  next  day  this  order  was  executed,  as  a  strong 
detachment  of  British  seamen  and  Marines  approached  the 
flotilla  to  attack  it.  On  the  23rd,  Captain  Barney  marched  into 
Washington,  and  took  up  his  quarters  at  the  Marine  barracks. 
It  was  subsequently  learned  that  the  enemy  was  marching 
directly  on  Washington,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  check 
him  at  Bladensburg.  The  flotilla  men  and  Marines  left  the 
Yard  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  and  arrived  at  the  battle- 
ground on  a  double-quick.  They  were  immediately  drawn  up 
about  a  mile  to  the  west  of  Bladensburg,  holding  the  centre 
of  General  Winder's  position.  The  entire  force  of  the  flotilla 
—  men  and  Marines — was  about  five  hundred  men;  and  they 
had  two  eighteen  pounders  and  three  twelve  pounders.  Captain 
Barney  took  command  of  the  artillery,  while  Captain  Miller  of 
the  Marines  had  the  disposition  of  the  remainder  of  the  two 
parties,  who  were  armed  as  infantry.  The  Marines,  seventy- 
eight  men  in  all,  formed  a  line  immediately  on  the  right  of  the 
guns,  while  the  seamen,  three  hundred  and  seventy  men,  were 
drawn  up  a  little  in  the  rear,  and  on  the  right  flank  of  the 
Marines.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  began  to  throw  rockets, 
Captain  Barney  opened  on  him  with  a  sharp  discharge  of  round 
and  grape.  The  column  was  staggered,  and  lost  ground.  A 
second  attempt  to  advance  was  repulsed  in  the  same  manner, 
when  the  enemy  threw  out  a  brigade  of  light  troops,  in  open 
order,  and  advanced  in  beautiful  style  upon  the  command  of 
Captain  Barney,  while  the  head  of  a  strong  column  was  kept  in 
reserve.  Captain  Miller,  with  the  Marines,  and  that  portion  of 
the  seamen  who  acted  as  infantry,  met  the  charge  in  the  most 
steady  and  gallant  manner,  and  after  a  short  conflict,  drove  the 
British  troops  back  upon  their  supporting  column.  In  this  con- 
flict, the  English  commanding  officer,  in  advance,  Colonel 
Thornton,  with  his  second  and  third  in  rank,  Lieutenant-colonel 


58  The  War  of  1812. 

Wood  and  Major  Brown,  were  all  wounded,  and  left  on  the 
field.  The  Marines  manifested  the  most  thorough  discipline 
and  bravery,  though  the  troops  brought  against  them,  numbered 
about  six  hundred  men.  At  this  point,  one  or  two  regular  regi- 
ments would  have  given  the  Americans  the  day,  but  Captain 
Barney,  Captain  Miller,  and  several  other  officers  were  wounded ; 
and,  victory  being  impossible  against  odds  so  great,  an  order 
was  given  to  retreat.  All  the  men  retired,  except  the  badly 
wounded ;  among  the  latter,  however,  were  Captain  Barney 
and  Captain  Miller,  who  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  loss 
of  the  enemy  in  front  of  the  seamen  and  Marines  was  nearly 
three  hundred  men,  in  killed  and  wounded.  Of  the  Marines, 
nearly  one-third  were  killed  or  wounded,  including  Captain  A. 
Sevier,  and  the  flotilla-men  suffered  considerably,  though  in  a 
smaller  proportion.  The  current  record  says  :  "  The  people  of 
the  flotilla,  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Barney  and  the 
Marines,  were  justly  applauded  for  their  excellent  conduct  on 
this  occasion.  No  troops  could  have  stood  better  •  and  the  fire 
of  both  artillery  and  musketry  has  been  described  as  to  the  last 
degree  severe.  Captain  Barney  himself,  and  Captain  Miller, 
of  the  Marine  Corps,  in  particular,  gained  much  additional  rep- 
utation ;  and  their  conspicuous  gallantry  caused  a  deep  and 
general  regret  that  their  efforts  could  not  have  been  sustained 
by  the  rest  of  the  army." 

In  the  service  performed  in  front  of  New  Orleans,  during  this 
war,  the  Marine  Corps  had  its  share  in  the  honors  of  victory, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Carmick,  who  was  wounded  in 
the  affair  of  the  28th  of  December. 

In  the  engagement  between  the  President  and  Endymion, 
Lieutenant  Levi  Twiggs,  commanding  the  Marines  of  the  former 
vessel,  particularly  distinguished  himself. 

In  the  action  with  the  Penguin,  a  private  Marine  of  the 
Hornet,  named  Michael  Smith,  who  had  served  under  the  gal- 
lant Porter,  in  the  Essex,  when  she  was  captured  by  the  British, 
received  a  shot  through  the  upper  part  of  the  thigh,  which  frac- 


The   War  of  1812.  59 

tured  the  bone,  and  nearly  at  the  same  moment  had  the  same 
thigh  broken  immediately  above  the  knee  by  the  spanker-boom 
of  the  Hornet,  which  was  carried  away  by  the  enemy's  bowsprit 
while  a-foul  of  her.  In  this  situation,  while  bleeding  upon  the 
deck,  and  unable  to  rise,  he  was  seen  to  make  frequent  exertions 
to  discharge  his  musket  at  the  enemy  on  the  top-gallant  fore- 
castle of  the  Penguin.  This,  however,  the  poor  fellow  was  una- 
ble to  accomplish ;  and  was  compelled  to  submit  to  be  carried 
below. 

During  the  attack  of  the  British  on  Baltimore,  which  began 
on  the  10th  of  September,  and  ended  in  the  withdrawal  of  the 
enemy  three  days  later,  a  detachment  of  Marines  rendered  val- 
uable service,  which  was  gracefully  acknowledged  by  General 
Smith  in  his  official  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Marines  killed  and  wounded  on 
board  the  United  States  squadron,  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  the 
engagement  with  the  British  fleet  on  the  nth  of  September : 

U.  S.  S.  Saratoga :  —  Killed,  Private  James  Carlisle ;  Wounded, 
Privates  Benjamin  Jackson,  Jesse  Vanhorn,  Joseph  Ketter,  and 
Samuel  Pearson. 

Brig  Eagle :  —  Killed,  Privates  John  Wallace,  Joseph  Heaton, 
and  Robert  Stratton ;  Wounded,  Privates  John  McKenney, 
Mathew  Scriver,  George  Mannaring,  Henry  Jones,  and  John 
McCarty. 

Schooner  Ticonderoga:  —  Killed,  Privates  Deodiick  Think 
and  John  Sharp ;  Wounded,  Private  John  Condon. 

Gun-boat  Borer:  —  Killed,  Private  James  Day;  Wounded, 
Corporal  Ebenezer  Cobb. 

During  the  operations  on  the  lakes,  the  Army  cooperating  with 
the  Navy,  a  detachment  of  Marines  served  with  great  efficiency 
on  shore  with  the  troops,  under  Colonel  Scott. 

18 15. — The  following  unique  document,  bearing  date  of 
April  30,  18 15,  was  addressed  to  Thomas  Turner,  Esq.,  an 
accountant  in  the  Navy  Department,  by  Captain  S.  Bacon  of  the 
Marine  Corps :  — 


60  The   War  of  1812. 

"  Sir  :  I  herewith  present  my  last  series  of  accounts  with  your 
Department;  and  on  this  date  I  have  resigned  my  appointment 
in  the  staff  of  this  Corps.  If  my  accounts  with  you  should  not 
be  in  every  instance  correct,  you  will,  I  hope,  do  me  the  justice 
to  advert  to  the  period  of  war  and  uncommonly  troublesome 
times  during  which  I  have  held  it.  Not  only  that  the  multi- 
plicity and  complicated  detail  of  its  duties  require,  in  order  to 
their  proper  and  judicious  discharge,  that  a  quartermaster 
should  be  a  tailor,  blacksmith,  painter,  glazier,  armorer,  carpen- 
ter, waggoner,  and  butcher.  Of  these  elevated  professions  I 
have  not  the  happiness  to  be  master.  I  have  therefore  ex- 
changed the  bodkin  for  the  sword.  In  the  hands  of  a  man  of 
exemplary  patience,  the  former  may  be  a  very  good  thing  to 
untie  the  Gordian  knots  of  a  quartermaster's  office  with,  but  I 
prefer  to  "  cut  the  matter  short  "  by  resuming  the  latter,  which, 
especially  in  time  of  war,  is  somewhat  preferable  to  being  act- 
ing wagoner  to  Commodore  Barney.  Seriously,  the  duties  of 
the  office  are  perplexing  to  an  infinite  degree,  and  require  better 
health  than  I  have  to  bestow.  Be  pleased  to  accept  my  un- 
feigned thanks  for  the  readiness  with  which  you  have  met  all 
my  wishes,  in  my  official  intercourse  with  you,  and  believe  me 
your  friend,"  etc.  In  the  engagement  between  the  Constitution, 
Commodore  Stewart,  and  the  British  Corvettes  Cyane  and  Le- 
vant, on  the  20th  of  February,  the  Marines  of  the  former  were 
commanded  by  Captain  Archibald  Henderson,  who  was  specially 
mentioned  in  the  official  report  of  that  action. 

1818.  —  Captain  John  Heath,  of  the  Marines,  and  Commo- 
dore Oliver  H.  Perry,  fought  a  duel  in  New  Jersey,  near  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  18 18.  According  to  Sabine,  the  quarrel 
arose  while  the  two  officers  were  in  the  Mediterranean,  in  18 15. 
Perry,  in  referring  to  it,  said,  "  I  did,  in  a  moment  of  irritation, 
produced  by  strong  provocation,  raise  my  hand  against  a  person 
honored  with  a  commission."  A  court-martial  followed  the  diffi- 
culty, and  both  were  privately  reprimanded  by  Commodore 
Chauncey,  who  commanded  the  American  squadron  in  that  sea. 


TJie  War  of  1812.  61 

Some  time  after  their  return  to  the  United  States,  Heath  sent  a 
challenge.  Perry,  in  remarking  upon  his  course  in  the  combat, 
declared,  "  I  cannot  consent  to  return  his  fire,  as  the  meeting 
on  my  part  will  be  entirely  as  an  atonement  for  the  violated 
rules  of  the  service."  Heath  fired  and  missed.  Perry,  in  ac- 
cordance with  his  determination,  withheld  his  fire. 


/ 


CHAPTER  V. 

1824. — THE   FAMOUS   MUTINY     IN     THE     MASSACHUSETTS     STATE 
PRISON. 

THE  account  of  the  mutiny  in  the  Massachusetts  State 
Prison,  in  1824,  has  been  familiar  to  the  school-boys  of 
the  last  forty  years.  It  was  given  in  authentic  form  in  the  New 
England  Galaxy  in  1828,  and  has  since  formed  one  of  the 
standard  selections  for  school  readers.  The  following  account 
is  borrowed  from  the  original  story,  omitting  such  portions  as 
do  not  have  bearing  on  the  action  of  the  Marines  who  were 
called  into  suppress  the  outbreak:  Three  convicts  had  been 
sentenced,  under  the  rules  of  the  prison,  to  be  publicly  whipped 
in  the  yard,  and  were  confined  in  the  solitary  cells,  waiting  pun- 
ishment. An  officer,  whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  such  cases, 
entered  one  of  the  cells  to  see  that  every  thing  was  right,  when  the 
inmate  sprang  past  him,  closed  the  door,  and  locked  him  in. 
He  then  opened  the  doors  of  the  cells  in  which  were  the  other 
two,  and  the  three,  after  deliberation,  released  the  officer,  and 
ordered  him  to  approach  the  door  leading  into  the  guard  room, 
and  give  the  necessary  signal  that  all  was  right,  while  they  stood 
ready,  on  its  being  opened,  to  rush  through  and  secure  the 
guard  and  the  arms  in  the  room.  The  officer  resolutely  refused. 
They  threatened  to  kill  him  j  and  one  of  them  raised  a  file, 
sharpened  to  a  point,  with  the  intent  of.  carrying  the  threat  into 
execution ;  but  the  officer  remained  firm,  telling  them  that  they 
might  take  his  life,  but  he  would  not  betray  his  trust.  The  other 
two  finally  interfered  and  saved  his  life,  forcing  him  back  into 

62 


Mutiny  in  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison.  63 

the  cell,  and  locking  him  in.  They  then  passed  into  the  large 
dining-hall,  a  long,  dark,  and  damp  room.  The  alarm .  had 
already  been  given,  and  the  prisoners  rushed  from  the  work- 
shops, arming  themselves  with  clubs,  knives,  hammers,  chisels, 
and  every  variety  of  weapon  within  their  reach,  forming  a  band 
whose  strength,  vileness,  and  reckless  daring  could  hardly  be 
equalled.  Men  of  all  ages  and  characters,  guilty  of  every 
variety  of  infamous  crimes,  dressed  in  the  motley  and  peculiar 
garb  of  the  institution  at  that  period,  and  displaying  the  wild 
and  demoniac  appearance  that  always  pertains  to  imprisoned 
wretches,  were  gathered  together  for  the  single  purpose  of  pre- 
venting the  punishment  which  was  to  be  inflicted  on  the  morrow 
upon  their  comrades. 

The  acting  warden  and  some  other  officers  of  the  prison  were 
there  at  the  time,  and  were,  naturally,  greatly  alarmed  at  the 
consequences  likely  to  ensue  from  the  conflict  necessary  to 
restore  order.  They  huddled  together,  but  could  scarcely  be 
said  to  consult,  as  the  stoutest  of  them  lost  all  presence  of 
mind  in  overwhelming  fear.  The  news  spread  rapidly  through 
the  town,  and  a  subordinate  officer,  of  mild  and  kind  disposi- 
tion, hurried  to  the  scene,  and,  calm  and  collected,  went  into 
the  midst  of  the  officers.  The  most  equably  tempered  and  the 
mildest  man  in  the  government,  as  is  usually  the  case,  was, 
in  this  hour  of  peril,  the  firmest.  He  instantly,  upon  his  own 
responsibility,  despatched  a  request  to  Major  Wainwright,  com- 
mander of  the  Marines  stationed  at  the  Navy  Yard,  for  assist- 
ance, and  declared  his  purpose  to  enter  the  hall,  and  try  the 
force  of  firm  demeanor  and  persuasion  upon  the  enraged  mul- 
titude. The  other  officers  exclaimed  against  an  attempt  so  full 
of  hazard,  but  in  vain.  They  offered  him  arms  —  a  sword  and 
pistol ;  but  he  refused  them,  and  said  that  he  had  no  fear,  and 
in  case  of  danger,  arms  would  be  of  no  service  \  and  alone,  with 
only  a  little  rattan,  which  was  his  usual  walking-stick,  he 
advanced  into  the  hall  to  hold  parley  with  the  enraged  and  des- 
perate villains. 


64  Mutiny  in  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison. 

He  demanded  their  purpose  in  thus  coming  together  with 
arms,  in  violation  of  the  prison  laws.  They  replied  that  they 
were  determined  to  obtain  the  remission  of  the  punishment  of 
their  three  comrades.  He  said  that  was  impossible ;  the  rules 
of  the  prison  must  be  enforced,  and  they  must  submit.  At  the 
hint  of  submission,  they  drew  a  little  nearer  together,  prepared 
their  weapons  for  service,  and  as  they  were  dimly  seen  in  the 
farther  end  of  the  hall  by  those  who  observed  them  from  the 
grating  that  opened  to  the  day,  it  was  difficult  to  conceive  of  a 
more  appalling  sight,  or  one  of  more  moral  grandeur,  than  that 
of  a  single  man  standing  within  their  grasp,  and  exposed  to 
instant  death,  if  a  word  or  look  should  add  to  the  already 
intense  excitement. 

The  excitement,  too,  was  of  the  most  dangerous  kind ;  it  did 
not  break  forth  in  noise  and  imprecation,  but  was  seen  only  in 
the  dark  looks  and  the  strained  nerves,  that  showed  a  deep 
determination.  They  stated  that  they  expected  some  would  be 
killed,  but  that  death  would  be  better  than  such  imprisonment; 
and  with  look  and  tone  which  evinced  an  indomitable  purpose, 
they  declared  that  not  a  man  should  leave  the  hall  alive  till  the 
sentence  of  flogging  was  remitted.  At  this  period  of  the  dis- 
cussion their  evil  passions  seemed  to  be  more  inflamed,  and  one 
or  two  proposed  to  kill  the  officer,  who  still  stood  firm,  and  with 
more  temperate  pulse  than  did  his  friends,  who  saw  from 
above  but  could  not  avert  the  danger  that  threatened  him. 
Just  at  this  moment  the  officer  saw  the  feet  of  the  Marines 
filing  by  the  small  lights.  He  knew  that  it  was  his  only  time  of 
escape,  before  a  conflict  for  life  should  begin.  He  stepped 
backward,  still  urging  the  prisoners  to  depart  before  the  officers 
were  driven  to  the  use  of  firearms  as  a  last  resort.  When 
within  three  or  four  feet  of  the  door  it  was  opened,  and  closed 
instantly  again  as  he  sprang  through,  and  so  was  unexpectedly 
restored  to  his  friends. 

Major  Wainwright  was  requested  to  order  his  men  to  fire 
down  upon  the  convicts  through  the  little  windows,  first  with 


Mutiny  i?i  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison.  65 

powder  and  then  with  ball,  till  they  were  willing  to  retreat ;  but 
he  took  a  wiser  as  well  as  bolder  course.  Relying  upon  the 
effect  which  firm  determination  would  have  upon  men  so  criti- 
cally situated,  he  ordered  the  door  to  be  again  thrown  open, 
and  marched  in  at  the  head  of  thirty  men,  who  filed  through 
the  passage  and  formed  at  the  end  of  the  hall,  opposite  the 
crowd  of  criminals  grouped  together  at  the  other  end.  He 
stated  that  he  was  empowered  to  quell  the  rebellion  \  that  he 
should  not  quit  that  hall  alive  till  every  convict  had  returned  to 
his  duty.  The  latter  seemed  balancing  the  strength  of  the  two 
parties,  and  replied  that  some  of  them  were  ready  to  die,  and 
only  waited  for  the  attack  to  see  which  was  the  more  powerful, 
swearing  that  they  would  fight  to  the  last  unless  the  sentence  of 
flogging  was  remitted,  for  they  would  not  submit  to  any  such 
punishment  in  the  prison. 

Major  Wainwright  now  ordered  his  Marines  to  load  their 
pieces,  and  that  they  might  not  be  suspected  of  trifling,  each 
man  was  told  to  hold  up  to  view  the  bullet  which  he  afterwards 
put  into  his  gun.  This  only  caused  a  growl  of  determination, 
and  no  one  blanched,  or  seemed  disposed  to  shrink  from  the 
foremost  exposure.  They  knew  that  their  numbers  would  ena- 
ble them  to  bear  down  and  destroy  the  handful  of  Marines, 
after  the  first  discharge. 

The  Marines  were  ordered  to  take  aim ;  their  guns  were 
presented;  but  not  a  prisoner  stirred,  except  to  grasp  more 
firmly  his  weapon.  Still  desirous,  if  possible,  to  avoid  such  a 
slaughter  as  must  follow  the  discharge  of  the  guns,  the  major 
advanced  a  step  or  two,  and  spoke  even  more  firmly  than  before, 
urging  them  to  depart.  Again,  and  while  looking  directly  into 
the  muzzles  of  the  guns,  which  they  had  seen  loaded  with  ball, 
they  declared  their  intention  of  fighting  it  out.  The  intrepid 
officer  then  took  out  his  watch  and  told  his  men  to  hold 
their  pieces  aimed  at  the  prisoners,  but  not  to  fire  till  they 
had  orders.  Then,  turning  to  the  convicts,  he  said :  "  You 
must  leave  this  hall.     I  give  you  three  minutes  to  decide.     If  at 


66  Mutiny  in  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison. 

the  end  of  that  time  a  man  remains,  he  shall  be  shot  dead.  I 
speak  no  more."  No  more  tragic  situation  than  this  can  be 
conceived  :  at  one  end  of  the  hall  a  fearless  multitude  of  des- 
perate and  powerful  men  waiting  for  the  assault ;  at  the  other 
a  little  band  of  well-disciplined  Marines,  waiting  with  levelled 
muskets,  and  ready  on  the  least  motion  or  sign  to  begin  the  car- 
nage, and  their  tall  commander  holding  up  his  watch  to  count  the 
lapse  of  the  three  allotted  minutes.  For  two  minutes  not  a 
person  or  a  muscle  was  moved  ;  not  a  sound  was  heard  in  the  un- 
wonted stillness  of  the  prison,  except  the  labored  breathings  of 
the  infuriated  wretches  as  they  began  to  pant  between  fear  and 
revenge.  At  the  expiration  of  two  minutes,  during  which  they 
had  faced  the  ministers  of  death  with  unfaltering  eyes,  two  or 
three  of  those  in  the  rear,  and  nearest  to  the  further  entrance, 
went  slowly  out ;  a  few  more  followed  the  example,  dropping 
out  quietly  and  deliberately ;  and  before  half  the  last  minute 
was  gone,  every  man  was  struck  by  the  panic,  and  crowded  for 
exit,  and  the  hall  was  cleared  as  if  by  magic.  Thus  the  steady 
firmness  of  moral  force,  and  the  strong  effect  of  deliberate 
determination,  cowed  the  most  daring  men,  and  prevented  a 
scene  of  carnage  which  would  have  instantly  followed  the  least 
precipitancy  or  exertion  of  physical  force  by  the  officers  or  their 
subordinates. 

Lieutenant  R.  D.  Wainwright  of  the  Marine  Corps,  who  was 
commissioned  December  4,  1869,  is  a  descendant  of  Major 
Wainwright.  The  latter  was  breveted  lieutenant-colonel  three 
years  after  the  event  above  detailed,  and  died  October  5,  1841. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1824  TO    1835. — OPERATIONS  AGAINST  PIRATES. — THE  TROUBLE 
ON   THE    COAST   OF   SUMATRA.  —  SERVICES    IN    NEW   YORK. 

IN  the  operations  against  the  pirates  in  the  West  Indies,  in 
1824,  the  Marines  belonging  to  Commodore  Porter's  com- 
mand gained  a  bloodless  but  decisive  victory  over  the  Spaniards 
at  Foxardo,  a  Porto  Rico  port. 

1831.  —  About  the  middle  of  July,  1831,  information  was  re- 
ceived in  the  United  States  of  the  piratical  attack  which  had 
been  made  upon  the  ship  Friendship,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  on  the 
coast  of  Sumatra,  in  the  month  of  February  preceding;  the 
Malays  having  treacherously  seized  that  vessel,  and  massacred 
part  of  her  crew,  who  were  receiving  on  board  a  cargo  of  pepper. 

1832.  —  Lieutenant  Alvin  Edson  of  the  Marine  Corps  led  a 
body  of  Marines  in  the  attack  of  the  Americans  under  Commo- 
dore Downes  on  the  Malays,  at  Quallah  Battoo  on  the  coast  of 
Sumatra,  on  the  6th  of  February,  1832,  the  purpose  being  to  pun- 
ish the  pirates.  He  was  ordered  to  attack  one  of  the  forts  situ- 
ated in  the  rear  of  the  town.  The  Malays  behaved  with  great 
spirit,  but  they  could  not  face  the  Marines,  as  with  steady  disci- 
pline the  latter  stormed  the  fort  and  forced  their  way  into  it. 

The  Americans  were  at  first  unable  to  find  the  other  fort  in 
rear  of  the  town,  so  thoroughly  was  it  concealed  in  the  trees ;  so 
that  Lieutenant  Pinkham,  who  had  been  sent  against  it  with  the 
first  division,  led  his  men  through  the  town  and  rejoined  Lieu- 
tenant Shubrick.  The  latter  had  already  commenced  his  at- 
tack, with  the  third  division  under  Lieutenant  Ingersoll,  aided 

67 


68  The  Trouble  on  the  Coast  of  Sumatra. 

by  the  six-pounder,  upon  the  principal  fort,  situated  at  the 
southern  point  of  the  town,  and  near  the  beach.  Here  the  fight 
was  long  and  gallantly  maintained  on  both  sides.  A  six- 
pounder  was  brought  up,  and  being  managed  with  admirable 
precision  and  skill,  did  great  execution.  The  gate  of  the  outer 
defences  was  soon  forced,  and  the  men  rushed  in  without  reluc- 
tance, anxious  to  come  to  closer  quarters  with  their  foes.  But 
the  severest  part  of  their  work  remained  to  be  done.  The 
stronghold,  consisting  of  an  elevated  platform  mounted  with 
several  cannon,  still  held  out,  and  our  men  had  to  stand  the  fire 
from  it  without  protection.  The  ladder  to  the  platform  had  of 
course  been  removed,  and  in  the  attempt  to  climb  up  to  it  one 
was  killed  and  several  were  wounded.  At  this  critical  moment 
Lieutenants  HofE  and  Edson,  having  secured  their  victories, 
came  up  with  detachments  from  their  divisions,  and  took  a  posi- 
tion between  the  fort  and  the  water,  from  which  they  poured  in 
a  very  effective  cross  fire.  The  men  in  the  boats  were  also 
near  enough  to  make  their  fire  felt  in  the  contest.  The  battle 
now  raged  against  the  devoted  Malays  with  exterminating  sever- 
ity. Although  thus  clearly  invested,  and  numbers  falling  under 
so  well  conducted  a  fire,  they  yet  fought  with  desperation,  and 
it  was  not  till  almost  all  were  killed  that  their  position  could  be 
carried.     Their  guns  were  then  spiked  and  dismounted. 

There  was  still  another  large  fort  upon  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river.  It  had  kept  up  an  amazing  fire  upon  our  troops  from 
a  twelve-pounder,  during  the  attack  upon  the  last  fort.  But  it 
was  found  impracticable  to  ford  the  river,  and  it  was  not  pru- 
dent to  bring  the  boats  around  into  it,  so  that  an  attack  upon 
this  one  was  relinquished.  The  town  was  now  fired,  and  much 
of  it  was  reduced  to  ashes.  The  fort  which  they  had  been 
unable  to  find,  now  revealed  its  position  by  opening  its  fire.  A 
detachment  was  ordered  to  capture  it.  The  Malays,  as  usual, 
fought  fiercely.  But  success  had  animated  the  Americans  with 
even  unwonted  zeal  and  impetuosity,  and  after  a  short  conflict 
they  carried  this  work  by  assault. 


Services  in  New  York.  69 

Lieutenant  Edson  afterwards  assisted  in  capturing  the  other 
strongholds  of  the  Malays.  Success  was  purchased  at  some  cost, 
though  it  was  comparatively  small.  Two  men  were  killed ;  two  offi- 
cers and  nine  men  were  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
very  severe  ;  for  it  was  known  that  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty 
were  killed.  The  Malays  were  thus  terribly  punished  for  the 
capture  and  plunder  of  the  Friendship.  Lieutenant  Terrett  of 
the  Marines  shared  in  the  labors  and  triumphs  of  the  occasion. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  casualties  among  the  Marines  :  — 

Killed: — Private  Benjamin  T.  Brown. 

Wounded :  —  Lieutenant  Edson,  Privates  Daniel  H.  Cole 
(supposed  mortally),  James  A.  Huster,  slightly. 

1835.  During  the  fire  of  1835  m  New  York  city,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  ask  for  military  aid ;  a  requisition  was  therefore 
made  for  as  many  Marines  as  could  be  spared  from  the  barracks 
in  Brooklyn.  First  Lieutenant  J.  G.  Reynolds  was  ordered  to 
report  with  a  detachment  to  the  city  authorities  for  such  duty 
as  might  be  assigned.  A  strong  line  of  sentinels  was  posted  so 
as  to  efficiently  guard  public  and  private  property7,  and  with 
such  signal  success  that  the  gratitude  of  the  city  was  subse- 
quently expressed  in  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Lieutenant  Reynolds 
and  the  Marines  under  his  command. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1836-7. — THE     LAND    SERVICES     OF    THE     CORPS     DURING     THE 
CAMPAIGNS   AGAINST  THE    HOSTILE    INDIANS    IN    FLORIDA. 

UPON  the  breaking  out  of  Indian  hostilities  in  Georgia,  in 
1836,  at  a  moment  when  the  Indians  were  ravaging  the 
country,  and  the  disposable  force  of  the  army  was  inadequate  to 
the  emergency,  Colonel-commandant  Archibald  Henderson  of 
the  Marines  volunteered  his  services,  together  with  that  portion 
of  the  Corps  stationed  at  the  different  Navy  Yards.  In  this  he 
was  seconded  most  cheerfully  by  the  officers  under  his  command. 
Their  services  were  accepted,  and  their  places  at  the  Yards  tem- 
porarily filled  by  watchmen  from  civil  life.  Before  leaving 
Washington,  Colonel  Henderson  was  the  recipient  of  a  cane, 
presented  by  the  officers  of  the  Corps.  It  was  made  of  a  piece 
of  the  original  timber  of  the  Corvette  Cyane,  captured  in  18 15 
by  the  frigate  Constitution,  under  Commodore  Stewart.  Colo- 
nel Henderson  commanded  the  Marine  guard  on  that  occasion. 
The  cane  had  a  gold  head  and  silver  ferule,  and  a  sword  about 
nine  inches  in  length.  On  one  side  of  the  blade  was  the  fol- 
lowing inscription :  — 

"  To  Colonel  Archibald  Henderson,  Commandant  of  Marines,  commander 
of  the  guard  on  board  the  United  States  frigate  Constitution  in  the  capture 
of  H.  B.  M.  Corvettes  Cyane  and  Levant." 

On  the  reverse  side  :  — 

"  This  cane,  being  a  piece  of  the  original  timber  of  the  Cyane,  is  presented 
by  the  officers  of  the  Corps,  January  1,  1836." 

70 


Services  in  Florida,  71 

On  the  head  were  the  words  :  — 

"  Col.  A.  Henderson,  U.  S.  Marine  Corps." 

The  National  Intelligencer  of  June  2,  1836,  says:  "The  de- 
tachment of  Marines  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Henderson, 
which  so  promptly  and  handsomely  volunteered  to  go  against 
the  Creek  Indians,  will,  we  understand,  leave  here  this  morning 
in  the  Columbia  for  Norfolk,  where  they  will  take  passage  to 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  on  their  route  to  the  scene  of  sav- 
age warfare.  This  is  another  striking  evidence  of  the  great 
value  of  this  arm  of  the  national  defence ;  it  has  shown  itself  as 
prompt  to  defend  its  country  on  the  land  as  on  the  water,  the 
element  on  which  it  was  designed,  originally,  exclusively  to  act. 
Upon  several  occasions  during  the  late  war  with  England,  de- 
tachments from  this  brave  and  highly  disciplined  Corps  covered 
themselves  with  unfading  laurels  by  their  conduct  while  serving 
on  land ;  and  in  every  instance  of  conflict  on  the  water  its 
bravery  and  efficiency  were  attested  by  the  official  reports  of  the 
actions  in  which  it  bore  a  part.  In  the  present  emergency  it 
did  not  wait  even  an  intimation  that  its  services  would  be  accept- 
able, but  promptly  came  forth,  through  its  commanding  officer, 
in  the  first  hour  of  danger,  and  voluntarily  offered  to  leave  their 
comfortable  quarters,  and  within  one  week  from  the  offer,  we 
see  a  strong  and  well-appointed  detachment  of  fine-looking  men 
bidding  farewell  to  families  and  friends,  and  taking  up  the  line 
of  march  to  seek  a  savage  and  treacherous  foe  in  a  distant  land 
and  in  an  inhospitable  climate,  to  stay  the  ravages  of  war,  and 
to  protect  the  innocent,  the  helpless,  and  the  unoffending. 
They  will  carry  with  them  the  best  and  warmest  wishes  of  all, 
that  their  success  may  be  commensurate  with  their  bravery  and 
zeal." 

The  detachment  of  Marines  which  left  Boston  for  Fort 
Mitchell  about  the  1st  of  June  numbered  about  one  hundred. 
The   officers   who   accompanied   the   detachment  were :   Lieu- 


72  Services  in  Florida. 

tenant  Colonel  William  H.  Freeman,  Captain  T.  S.  English, 
Lieutenants  Alvin  Edson,  D.  D.  Baker,  R.  C.  Caldwell,  and 
William  M.  McArdle.  'A  detachment  of  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  from  Washington  and  sixty  from  Philadelphia 
landed  at  Fortress  Monroe  on  the  morning  of  June  2nd  from  the 
steamboats  Columbia  and  Pocahontas.  Captain  Twiggs'  com- 
mand at  the  Navy  Yard,  consisting  of  about  eighty,  embarked 
in  the  steam  packet  Columbus,  and,  joined  by  those  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  proceeded  immediately  to  Charleston.  The  following 
were  the  officers:  From  the  Navy  Yard  at  Gosport,  Captain 
Twiggs,  Brevet  Captain  McCawley,  Lieutenants  L.  N.  Carter, 
F.  N.  Armistead,  W.  E.  Stark,  and  W.  S.  Young ;  from  Phila- 
delphia, Lieutenant  Colonel  Miller,  Captain  J.  C.  Harris,  Lieu- 
tenants Lindslay  and  Hall. 

The  following  is  a  full  list  of  officers  who  left  the  headquar- 
ters of  the  Marine  Corps,  Washington,  June  1st,  for  Fort  Mitch- 
ell, Alabama,  under  the  command  of  Colonel-commandant 
Arch.  Henderson :  — 

Arch.  Henderson,  Colonel-commandant;  Charles  R.  Broom, 
Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Paymaster  ;  James  Edelin,  Cap- 
tain commanding  Company  C ;  Parke  G.  Howie,  Captain  and 
Adjutant  and  Inspector ;  Elijah  J.  Weed,  Captain  and  Quarter- 
master; William  W.  Dulany,  Captain  commanding  Company 
D ;  Horatio  N.  Crabb,  First  Lieutenant  and  Assistant  Quarter- 
master ;  H.  B.  Tyler,  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  during  the 
expedition  ;  John  T.  Sprague,  Second  Lieutenant  and  Commis- 
sary Sergeant  for  campaign  ;  Edward  L.  West  and  Josiah  Watson, 
Second  Lieutenants ;  Medical  Staff :  John  A.  Kearney,  Surgeon 
United  States  Navy  and  Chief  of  Medical  Staff  for  campaign ; 
George  B.  McKnight,  M.  D.,  Passed  Assistant  Surgeon  United 
States  Navy  attached  to  the  Corps.  The  number  of  troops  all 
told  was  three  hundred  and  three. 

The  Marines  from  Portsmouth,  Boston  and  Brooklyn  Navy 
Yards,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  sailed  from 
New  York  on  board  the  packet  ship  H.  Allen  for  Charleston, 


Services  in  Florida.  73 

S.  C,  under  the  command  of  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Free- 
man. On  their  arrival  there,  they  were  joined  by  the  Marines 
from  the  other  Navy  Yards.  Their  destination  was  Fort  Mitch- 
ell, to  cooperate  with  the  Army  against  the  Creek  nation.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  who  sailed  from  New  York : 
First  Company,  Captain  English  commanding,  Brevet  Captain 
Macomber  j  First  Lieutenant  Edson,  Acting  Assistant  Quarter- 
master ;  First  Lieutenants,  Walker  and  Baker ;  Second  Lieuten- 
ants, Sloan  and  Caldwell ;  Second  Company,  Captain  Walker 
commanding,  Captain  Brevoort;  First  Lieutenant  Reynolds, 
Acting  Adjutant ;  Second  Lieutenants,  Lang,  McLean,  Whitney, 
and  McArdle. 

The  Columbus,  Ga.,  Sentinel  of  July  1st  contained  the  follow- 
ing: "The  first  battalion  of  United  States  Marines,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Henderson,  is  now  stationed  at  Camp 
Henderson,  fifteen  miles  below  Columbus,  on  the  western  bank 
of  the  Chattahoochee.  The  battalion  arrived  at  this  place  on 
the  23rd  instant,  having  left  Washington  on  the  1st,  and  Augusta 
on  the  10th  ;  marching  from  Augusta  to  this  place  in  fourteen 
days,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-four  miles.  On 
their  arrival  here,  orders  were  received  from  General  Scott  to 
proceed  to  their  present  station  with  all  possible  despatch,  and 
there  erect  a  strong  picket  work,  as  a  place  of  deposit  for  pro- 
visions, etc.,  for  the  eastern  wing  of  the  Army.  Since  their 
arrival  there  the  officers  and  men  have  all  enjoyed  good  health 
and  spirits,  and  pursue  their  work  with  vigilance  and  prompt- 
ness. Their  location  being  in  the  most  exposed  part  of  the 
enemy's  country,  it  is  a  great  privation  for  them  to  be  confined 
to  the  monotonous  duties  of  the  camp,  though  well  convinced  of 
the  importance  of  their  present  work.  Their  camp  has  been 
for  two  successive  nights  roused  by  Indians  lurking  about,  and 
approaching  the  picket  sentinels  within  a  few  yards,  when  they 
were  fired  on  and  pursuit  immediately  given,  but  no  traces  of 
them  could  be  found.  Last  night,  after  the  roll  of  the  drum 
had  ceased,  a  whoop  was  distinctly  heard  up  the  river,  which 


74  Services  in  Florida. 

no  doubt  was  a  signal  to  a  party  above.  On  Friday  morning 
last,  a  negro  boy  who  had  escaped  from  the  Indians  that  morn- 
ing, and  who  had  been  a  prisoner  some  five  or  six  weeks,  was 
brought  into  the  camp  by  Captain  Love,  of  the  Georgia  volun- 
teers. He  stated  that  a  party  of  twenty  or  thirty  had  camped 
the  night  before  within  six  or  seven  miles,  and  had  left  that 
morning  for  a  large  swamp  not  far  off,  no  doubt  Cowagee 
Swamp,  and  that  he  saw  Jim  Henry  that  day,  who  advised  them 
to  go  as  soon  as  possible,  and  that  he  had  been  badly  wounded 
in  the  shoulder.  Captains  Twiggs'  and  Dulany's  companies, 
together  with  a  company  of  Georgia  volunteers,  under  Captain 
Love,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Captain  Twiggs,  were 
immediately  despatched  in  hopes  of  overtaking  them,  but  with- 
out success.  They  soon  came  upon  their  abandoned  camp, 
found  their  fires  burning  and  meat  cooking,  and  every  thing 
about  indicating  a  sudden  departure.  A  negro  man  was  taken 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp,  who,  with  great  reluctance,  gave 
himself  up.  He  was  armed  with  a  musket,  twenty  balls,  and  a 
pocket  full  of  powder.  He  was  much  frightened,  but  seemed 
determined  to  communicate  as  little  as  possible  ;  but  as  far  as 
he  did  tell,  he  corroborated  the  statements  of  the  boy.  The 
party  took  a  number  of  horses  belonging  to  the  Indians,  and 
a  variety  of  ornaments,  which  they  in  their  hurry  had  left  be- 
hind. There  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  Indians  are  concen- 
trating somewhere  in  that  vicinity,  and  will  make  a  desperate 
effort  to  cross  the  river;  if  they  do  they  may  be  assured  the 
troops  now  there  will  give  them  warm  work." 

On  Friday,  the  24th  of  June,  the  second  battalion  of  Marines, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Freeman,  consisting 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  reached  Milledgeville  and  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  their  destination,  Fort  Mitchell.  Orders 
were  almost  immediately  given  to  proceed  to  Florida. 

On  the  1 6th  of  October,  the  two  battalions,  consolidated  into 
one  regiment  of  six  companies,  arrived  at  Apalachicola,  Florida, 
from  Fort  Mitchell,  Alabama,  on  their  way  to  Tampa  Bay.     The 


Services  in  Florida.  75 

following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  battalion,  which  was  at- 
tached to  the  Army  under  the  command  of  General  Jesup :  — 

Colonel-commandant,  Archibald  Henderson. 
Major  and  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel,  Samuel  Miller. 

W.  H.  Freeman. 

Staff:  —  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Charles  R.  Broom,  Paymaster;  Cap- 
tain Parke  G.  Howie,  Adjutant  and  Inspector ;  Captain  E.  J.  Weed,  Quar- 
termaster ;  First  Lieutenant  George  F.  Lindsay,  Assistant  Quartermaster ; 
First  Lieutenant  F.  C.  Hall,  Assistant  Commissary ;  Surgeon,  John  A. 
Kearney,  U.  S.  N.j  Passed  Assistant  Surgeon,  George  B.  McKnight,  U.  S. 
A.;  Sergeant,  Major  James  Gatchell. 

Captains,  Levi  Twiggs,  John  Harris,  James  Edelin,  William  Dulany,  T.  S. 
English,  and  George  W.  Walker. 

First  Lieutenants,  Brevet  Captain  James  McCawley,  Brevet  Captain 
Benjamin  Macomber  ;  First  Lieutenants,  Alvin  Edson,  H.  B.  Tyler,  L.  N. 
Carter,  John  G.  Reynolds,  T.  L.  C.  Watkins,  F.  N.  Armistead,  George  H. 
Terrett,  W.  E,  Stark,  W.  E.  Lang  and  A.  H.  Ross. 

Second  Lieutenants,  D.  D.  Baker,  L.  F.  Whitney,  E.  L.  West,  Robert  C. 
Caldwell,  W.  L.  Young,  Josiah  Watson,  W.  McArdle,  and  John  T.  Sprague. 

The  Marines  participated  in  the  arduous  campaigns  under 
General  Jesup,  and  received  from  him  the  highest  commenda- 
tions. At  the  battle  of  the  Wahoo  Swamp,  Colonel  B.  K.  Pierce 
commanding  the  right  division,  mentions  in  his  official  report 
the  gallant  conduct  of  First  Lieutenant  Andrew  Ross  of  the 
Marines,  who  was  wounded.  This  officer  subsequently  died  of 
his  wounds. 

1837.  —  The  Marines  bore  an  honorable  and  highly  important 
part  in  the  battle  of  Hatchee-Lustee,  which  began  on  the  22nd 
of  January,  1837.  The  main  body  of  the  Army,  under  com- 
mand of  Major  General  Jesup,  was  put  in  motion  on  that  day, 
to  attack  the  Indians  and  negroes  in  the  strongholds  which 
they  were  said  to  occupy  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Ocklawaha. 
On  the  23rd,  Lieutenant-colonel  Caulfield  was  detached  with  his 
battalion  of  mounted  Alabama  volunteers,  Captain  Harris's 
company  of  Marines,  and  Major  Morris's  Indian  warriors,  ac- 


76  Services  in  Florida. 

companied  by  General  Jesup's  aid,  Lieutenant  Chambers,  to 
attack  Osuchee,  a  chief  of  some  note,  who  was  reported  to  have 
a  large  Indian  force  under  his  command  in  a  swamp  on  the 
borders  of  Ahpopka  Lake.  The  chief  was  surprised,  himself 
and  three  warriors  killed,  and  nine  Indians  and  eight  negroes 
captured.  On  the  27th,  the  enemy  was  found  on  the  Hatchee- 
Lustee,  in  and  near  the  "Great  Cypress  Swamp,"  and  promptly 
and  gallantly  attacked.  Lieutenant  Chambers,  with  Price's 
company  of  Alabama  volunteers,  by  a  rapid  charge,  succeeded 
in  capturing  the  horses  and  baggage  of  the  enemy,  with  twenty- 
five  Indians  and  negroes,  principally  women  and  children,  the 
men  having  mostly  fled  into  the  swamp.  Colonel  Henderson, 
leaving  one  company  with  the  prisoners  and  horses,  entered  the 
swamp  with  the  remainder  of  his  command,  drove  the  enemy 
across  the  Hatchee-Lustee,  passed  that  river  under  their  fire, 
and  drove  them  into  a  more  dense  and  difficult  swamp,  in  which 
they  dispersed.  A  considerable  force  was  ordered  to  support 
Colonel  Henderson.  When  the  troops  reached  the  point  where 
the  colonel  had  entered  the  swamp,  it  was  ascertained  that  he' 
was  in  rapid  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  was  believed  to  be  fully 
able  to  overcome  the  force  opposed  to  him.  The  result  of  the 
day's  operations  was  the  capture  by  Colonel  Henderson's  force 
of  two  Indian  women  and  three  children,  and  twenty-three 
negroes,  young  and  old,  and  over  a  hundred  ponies,  with  packs  on 
about  fifty  of  them.  All  their  clothes,  blankets,  and  other  bag- 
gage were  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  and  either  taken  or  de- 
stroyed by  Colonel  Henderson.  In  his  report  of  the  affair  Col- 
onel Henderson  says  :  "  The  regular  troops,  both  artillery  and 
Marines,  displayed  great  bravery,  and  the  most  untiring  and  de- 
termined perseverance.  The  Marines,  however,  I  cannot  refrain 
from  mentioning  in  a  particular  manner.  The  killed  and 
wounded  show  where  they  were,  and  render  any  further  com- 
ment from  me  unnecessary." 

The  Army  and  Navy  Chronicle  of  June  15th  contained  the  fol- 
lowing :  "  The  Marine  Corps  has  been  so  much  separated  for  a 


Services  in  Florida.  77 

year  or  more  past,  that  we  have  not  had  it  in  our  power  to  make 
any  report  of  the  changes  that  have  occurred  in  the  stations  of 
its  officers.  We  are  rejoiced  to  perceive  that  this  Corps  has 
been  earning  a  harvest  of  fame  in  Florida,  by  the  alacrity,  zeal, 
and  ability  with  which  the  duties  assigned  to  it  have  been  dis- 
charged ;  and  we  welcome  back  to  their  homes,  and  to  compar- 
ative repose,  those  members  of  it  who  have  been  so  long 
actively  engaged  in  combatting  the  savages."  The  following 
order,  signed  by  General  Jessup,  was  issued  from  the  Head- 
quarters, Army  of  the  South,  Tampa  Bay,  May  22nd:  "The 
presence  of  Colonel  Henderson  being  required  at  the  head- 
quarters of  his  Corps,  he  will  proceed  to  Washington  City  and 
report  to  the  Adjutant-general  of  the  Army.  The  Major-gen- 
eral commanding  would  be  forgetful  of  what  is  due  to  merit, 
and  would  do  injustice  to  his  own  feelings  were  he  to  omit  on 
the  present  occasion  the  expression  of  the  high  sense  he  enter- 
tains of  the  distinguished  and  valuable  services  rendered  by  the 
colonel.  He  tenders  him  his  warmest  thanks  for  the  able, 
zealous,  and  cheerful  support  he  has  on  every  occasion  received 
from  him,  both  in  Florida  and  Alabama  ;  and  begs  him  to  accept 
his  best  wishes  for  his  future  fame  and  happiness.  Captain 
Howie,  adjutant  and  inspector  of  the  Marine  Corps,  and  Sur- 
geon Kearney  of  the  Navy,  Medical  Director  of  the  Army,  will 
accompany  Colonel  Henderson.  The  Major-general  thanks 
them  for  the  zeal,  efficiency,  and  ability  with  which  they  have 
performed  every  duty  which  has  devolved  upon  them  since 
they  have  been  attached  to  this  Army,  and  he  assures  them  that 
they  carry  with  them  his  best  wishes  and  kindest  regards. 
Lieutenant-colonel  Miller  will  command,  with  his  brevet  rank, 
the  troops  south  of  the  Hillsborough." 

Colonel  Henderson  arrived  in  Washington  about  the  middle 
of  June,  accompanied  by  Captain  Howie  of  the  Corps, 
and  by  Surgeon  Kearney  of  the  Navy.  The  National 
Intelligencer,  in  announcing  their  arrival,  said :  "  We  are 
glad   to   learn  that  Colonel   Henderson,  and  the  officers  who 


78  Services  in  Florida. 

accompanied  him,  have  returned  to  their  families  in  good  health. 
They  have  suffered  much  in  common  with  all  with  whom  they 
have  served,  not  less  from  the  climate,  and  the  peculiar  nature 
of  the  country  which  has  been  the  theatre  of  the  war,  than  from 
the  necessary  hardships  of  service  in  so  wild  and  destitute  a 
region.  The  gallant  Corps  which  it  is  the  good  fortune  of 
Colonel  Henderson  to  command,  has  always  been  distinguished 
wheresoever  duty  has  called  it.  In  the  present  case,  the  Corps 
deserves  peculiar  commendation,  from  having  volunteered  in 
the  war  in  Florida,  and  having  repaired  to  its  theatre,  a  thousand 
miles  distant,  to  share  in  its  perils  and  privations.  Its  com- 
mander deserves  the  praise  of  having  proven  himself  worthy  of 
his  post,  both  by  his  gallantry  in  the  field,  and  by  patience  and 
good  example  under  all  difficulties  ;  and  he,  his  officers  and  men, 
have  most  honorably  maintained  the  pledge  which  they  gave  to 
the  government  and  to  their  country  when  they  first  tendered 
their  services.  The  Corps  remains  in  Florida  under  the  veteran 
and  gallant  Colonel  Miller,  to  make  further  sacrifices  and 
endure  fresh  hardships,  should  the  obstinacy  of  the  Indians, 
as  now  appears  too  probable,  unhappily  prolong  the  war." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1838-42. THE   SERVICES    OF   THE   MARINES   ATTACHED   TO  THE 

MOSQUITO    FLEET   DURING   THE   WAR. 

THE  following  list  exhibits  the  character  and  strength  of 
the  naval  force  employed  in  the  Mosquito  Fleet,  from 
June,  1838,  until  August,  1842,  Lieutenant  John  T.  McLaughlin 
commanding  in  chief.  The  squadron  consisted  of  the  Wave, 
Panther,  revenue-cutters  Campbell  and  Otsego,  with  a  force  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  from  June,  1838,  until  November, 
1839 ;  from  this  date  until  June,  1841,  of  the  Flirt,  Wave, 
Otsego,  and  barges  Mayo  and  Harney,  and  two  companies  of 
Marines,  in  all  five  hundred  and  forty-one  men  ;  from  June, 
1841,  until  August,  1842,  of  the  Flirt,  Wave,  Otsego,  Phoenix, 
Jefferson,  Madison,  Van  Buren,  and  barges  Mayo  and  Harney,, 
with  one  hundred  and  thirty  Marines,  making  an  aggregate 
force  of  six  hundred  and  twenty-two  men,  of  whom  sixty-eight 
were  officers;  one  hundred  and  forty  canoes  were  employed  by 
the  squadron  during  its  service.  From  1839  to  1840  the 
Marines  on  the  ships  were  commanded  by  First  Lieutenant 
George  H.  Terrett,  with  Lieutenant  I.  R.  Wilson  and  Robert  D. 
Taylor  as  his  subordinates.  From  1840  to  1842  they  were  com- 
manded by  First  Lieutenant  Thomas  T.  Sloan,  with  Lieutenants 
I.  R.  Wilson  and  Robert  D.  Taylor  as  his  subordinates.  In 
addition  to  the  garrison  at  Indian  Key,  in  1842  the  Marines 
garrisoned  Fort  Dallas. 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1841,  a  detachment  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  Marines  and  seamen,  under  command    of  Lieutenant 

79 


8o  Services  in  the  Mosquito  Fleet  during  the  War. 

J.  T.  McLaughlin,  commanding  the  Mosquito  Fleet,  made  a 
scout  through  the  everglades.  The  scout  lasted  twenty-two 
days,  and  although  the  Indians  fled  before  them  in  all  direc- 
tions, allowing  no  opportunity  for  fighting,  the  result  of  the 
arduous  trip  was  to  gain  information  of  an  extensive  country 
which  had  never  before  been  explored,  and  to  exhibit  an  impos- 
ing force  in  the  heart  of  a  country  hitherto  deemed  impenetra- 
ble ;  the  tendency  of  which  was  to  strengthen  the  wavering  and 
doubtful  Indians  in  their  inclinations  to  submit.  The  depot  for 
the  Florida  squadron,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  McLaughlin, 
was  at  Indian  Key,  on  the  eastern  coast. 

For  several  weeks  Lieutenant  Sloan  of  the  Maiines  was 
employed  with  his  command  on  the  coonti  grounds  between  the 
Miami  and  New  rivers,  with  instructions  to  explore  every  acre 
of  them  During  the  exploration,  Lieutenant  Sloan  came  upon 
five  distinct  settlements  of  Indians;  the  first  of  them  within 
five  miles  of  Fort  Dallas,  between  Little  River  and  Arch  Creek. 
The  instant  he  was  discovered,  signal  fires  sprang  up  in  every 
direction,  as  if  by  magic,  and  fields  and  settlements  were  as 
suddenly  deserted.  Large  quantities  of  ripe  corn  were  gath- 
ered and  destroyed,  and  many  fields  laid  waste.  A  second  scout 
of  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  Taylor,  in  cooperation  with 
Lieutenant-commanders  Marchand  and  Rodgers,  was  com- 
pelled to  return  abruptly  to  their  post  for  want  of  water.  The 
fatigue  and  privation  undergone  by  this  detachment  was  so 
great  that  Private  Kingsbury  fell  in  his  trail,  and  died  from 
sheer  exhaustion.  Their  patient  endurance  and  cheerful 
alacrity  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty  proved  the  high  state 
of  discipline,  both  of  Marines  and  seamen. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  Lieutenant  McLaughlin  received  orders 
to  return  to  Norfolk  with  the  vessels  under  his  command. 


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CHAPTER  IX. 

l%2>9-  — THE     NATURE     AND     VALUE     OF     THE     DUTIES    OF     THE 
MARINES   CLEARLY   DEFINED. 

ON  the  26th  of  August,  1839,  tne  commanding  officers  of 
the  ships  connected  with  the  Florida  squadron  united 
in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  asking  for  an  increase 
in  the  number  of  men  under  their  command.  The  letter  is  of 
value,  as  setting  forth  clearly  the  nature  and  value  of  the 
services  of  the  Marines  on  ship-board.  This  document  received 
the  approval  of  Commodore  Shubrick,  who  sent  it  to  Washing- 
ton, accompanying  it  with  his  hearty  approbation.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  letter  in  full :  — 

"Pensacola,  August  26,  1839. 
"  The  undersigned,  commanding  officers  of  the  several  ships 
composing  this  squadron,  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
Marine  guards  belonging  to  the  same,  and  to  suggest  the  advan- 
tage that  would  result  from  an  increased  number  of  Marines  on 
board  each  ship.  The  different  detachments  are  not  sufficiently 
numerous  to  furnish  a  relief,  according  to  military  usage,  for 
the  number  of  sentinels  posted.  The  Macedonian  requires 
eight  sentinels  daily ;  viz.,  one  at  each  cabin  door,  one  in  each 
gangway,  one  on  the  forecastle,  one  in  the  foreorlop,  one  at  the 
cockpit,  one  at  the  galley,  and  one  at  the  scuttle-butt ;  to  fur- 
nish which  requires  a  daily  guard  of  twenty-four  privates, 
with  a  corresponding  number  as  a  relief-guard,  making,  without 
allowing  for  sickness  and  other  casualties,  forty-eight  privates, 

83 


84      Nature  and  Value  of  the  Duties  of  the  Marines  Defined. 

whereas  the  Macedonian's  guard  amounts  to  no  more  than 
twenty-one  privates. 

"  A  sloop-of-war  requires  six  sentinels  ;  viz.,  one  at  the  cabin 
door,  one  at  the  forecastle,  one  in  each  gangway,  one  at  the 
scuttle-butt,  and  one  at  the  galley  ;  which  requires  a  daily  guard 
of  eighteen  privates,  with  a  corresponding  number  as  a  relief- 
guard,  making  thirty-six  privates  :  whereas  a  sloop-of-war  of  the 
first  class  is  only  allowed,  at  present,  ten  privates.  It  is  then 
obvious  that  the  Marine  guards  of  the  squadron  are  insufficient 
to  furnish  the  requisite  number  of  sentinels.  We,  therefore, 
beg  leave  to  suggest  they  may  be  increased,  and  to  give  it  as 
our  opinion  that  it  would  be  an  advantage  to  the  service.  It  is 
not  our  purpose  to  discuss  the  utility  of  a  Marine  guard  as  a 
part  of  the  crew  of  a  ship-of-war,  though  we  are  decided  advo- 
cates for  it,  even  beyond  former  usages ;  we  mean  as  to  num- 
bers. Our  whole  purpose  is  to  bring  under  your  consideration 
the  subject  as  it  now  exists.  If  Marines  are  necessary,  our 
ships  have  too  few  to  perform  the  duties  required  of  them  by  law 
or  the  regulations  of  the  Navy. 

"  If  we  could  be  permitted  to  express  our  opinion,  it  would 
be  to  recommend  the  substitution  of  Marines  in  place  of  all 
other  landsmen  now  in  service.  It  is  evident  that  one  landsman 
is  as  competent  to  do  the  pulling  and  hauling  duty  of  a  ship  as 
another,  and  that  a  body  of  well-disciplined  Marines  would  be 
in  every  other  situation  preferable  to  the  common  landsmen, 
especially  when  engaged  in  any  service  on  shore,  which  in  all 
naval  operations  should  be  provided  for.  As  this  is  a  mere 
passing  suggestion  of  ours,  we  will  add,  if  the  duty  now  per- 
formed by  the  after-guard,  waisters,  etc.,  of  a  ship,  should 
be  performed  by  the  Marines,  it  would  only  be  necessary  to 
detail  a  guard  daily  for  military  duty,  and  employ  the  rest  of 
the  Marines  in  the  other  duties  generally  of  the  ship.  As  many 
seamen  would  thus  be  created  as  at  present,  there  being  no 
reason  why  a  Marine  cannot  be  taught  seamanship  as  well  as 
any    other    landsman.     We    should  then  blend  ours  and   the 


Nature  and  Value  of  the  Duties  of  the  Marines  Defined.      85 

French  system,  and  in  our  judgment  materially  improve  both, 
more  especially  if  the  Marine  Corps  should  be  composed  in 
future  wholly  of  young  Americans,  and  all  appointments  into 
the  Corps  be  taken  from  the  graduates  of  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point.  In  conclusion,  we  beg  leave  to  remain,  very 
respectfully, 

Beverly  Kennon,  Captain, 

W.  A  Spenser, 

Wm.  V.  Taylor, 

Jos.  Smoot, 

J.  D.  Williamson. 


CHAPTER  X. 

1846-8.  —  THE  CALIFORNIA  AND  MEXICAN  WARS,  I. — OPERA- 
TIONS OF  THE  MARINES  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  PACIFIC 
SQUADRON. 

AT  no  time  in  our  national  history  has  the  Marine  Corps  borne 
a  more  conspicuous  or  more  honorable  part  than  during 
the  Mexican  war.  Even  before  the  news  of  the  formal  declara- 
tion of  war  reached  the  American  forces  on  the  coasts  of  Mex- 
ico, the  officers  and  men  of  the  Corps,  under  the  orders  of  their 
naval  superiors,  made  a  record  for  themselves,  and  for  the 
nation,  of  brave,  unfaltering  courage  and  a  stern  determination 
to  wrest  victory  from  a  foe  whom  they  regarded  with  a  strong 
feeling  not  only  of  enmity  but  of  contempt.  This  feeling  man- 
ifested itself  all  through  the  war.  General  Scott  stated  at 
the  close  of  the  contest,  that  he  had  placed  the  Marines  where 
the  hardest  work  was  to  be  accomplished,  and  that  he  had  never 
found  his  confidence  misplaced.  Of  the  wars  in  which  our 
country  has  been  engaged,  none  has  more  completely  proved 
in  all  its  features  the  "  ideal  war  "  of  the  trained  soldier  than 
the  contest  with  Mexico :  so  long  as  a  single  survivor  of  that 
contest  remains,  he  will  look  upon  its  sufferings,  its  privations 
and  its  victories  as  something  to  be  remembered  with  especial 
pride.  The  thoroughly  disciplined  officers  and  men  of  the 
Marine  Corps  entered  into  the  contest  with  this  peculiar  feeling 
at  the  outset.  All  the  elements  that  tend  to  draw  out  the  patri- 
otism of  the  soldier  were  present,  and  the  true  warrior  blood  of 
the  hardy  Marines  showed  itself  from  first  to  last. 
86 


The  California  and  Mexican  Wars,  I.  87 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Marine  officers  connected  with 
the  Pacific  squadron  in  1846  :  Frigate  Savannah,  Captain  Ward 
Marston  and  Second  Lieutenant  Henry  W.  Queen  ;  Frigate 
Constitution,  Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  W.  Curtis;  Frigate 
Congress,  First  Lieutenant  J.  Zeilin  ;  Sloop  Portsmouth,  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Henry  B.  Watson ;  Sloop  Cyane,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant W.  A.  T.  Maddox.  In  the  following  year,  the  list  of 
officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  the  same  squadron  was  as 
follows :  Independence,  Captain  James  Edelin,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant William  W.  Russell;  Frigate  Savannah,  Captain  Ward 
Marston  and  Second  Lieutenant  Henry  W.  Queen  ;  Frigate 
Congress,  First  Lieutenant  Jacob  Zeilin  ;  Sloop  Portsmouth, 
Second  Lieutenant  Henry  B.  Watson;  Sloop  Cyane,  Second 
Lieutenant  William  A.  T.  Maddox  ;  Sloop  Dale,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Robert  Tansill ;  First  lieutenant  A.  H.  Gillespie,  on 
special  service.  In  1848  the  following  was  the  list  under  Com- 
modore T.  Ap  Catesby  Jones,  Commander-in-Chief :  Columbus 
(on  her  return),  Captain  Henry  B.  Tyler,  First  Lieutenant  W. 
A.  T.  Maddox  and  Second  Lieutenant  John  C.  Cash  ;  Ohio, 
Captain  J.  L.  C.  Hardy,  Second  Lieutenant  James  A.  Buchanan 
and  Second  Lieutenant  James  Wiley ;  Independence,  Captain 
James  Edelin  and  Second  Lieutenant  William  W.  Russell ;  Sloop 
Portsmouth,  Second  Lieutenant  Henry  B.  Watson  ;  Sloop  Dale, 
First  Lieutenant  Robert  Tansill ;  Captain  A.  H.  Gillespie,  on 
special  service. 

1846.  — On  the  7th  of  June,  1846,  Commodore  Sloat  received 
at  Mazatlan  information  that  the  Mexican  troops,  six  or  seven 
thousand  strong,  had,  by  order  of  the  Mexican  government, 
invaded  the  territory  of  the  United  States  north  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  and  had  attacked  the  forces  under  General  Taylor,  and 
that  the  squadron  of  the  United  States  was  blockading  the 
coast  of  Mexico  on  the  Gulf.  These  hostilities  he  considered 
would  justify  him  in  offensive  operations  on  the  west  coast. 
He  therefore  sailed  on  the  8th,  in  the  Savannah,  for  the  coast  of 
California.     On  the  2nd  of  July,  1846,  Commodore  Sloat,  with 


8&  Operations  of  the  Marines  in  the  Pacific  Squadron. 

the  Savannah,  arrived  at  Monterey,  to  assist  in  the  efforts  of 
the  United  States  land  forces.  On  the  7th  of  the  preceding 
month,  he  had  received  the  news  of  the  result  of  the  battle  of 
Resaca  de  la  Palma  and  Palo  Alto.  Although  at  that  date  he 
had  received  no  information  that  war  had  been  declared,  he 
felt  it  his  duty  to  cooperate  with  the  land  force  in  whatever  ser- 
vice they  might  have  undertaken.  At  Monterey,  Commodore 
Sloat  found  the  Cyane  and  Levant,  and  learned  that  the  Ports- 
mouth was  at  San  Francisco.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  he 
summoned  the  place  to  yield.  The  summons  not  being  obeyed, 
two  hundred  and  fifty  Marines  and  seamen  landed  under  the 
command  of  Captain  William  Mervine,  who  raised  the  United 
States  flag  under  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns.  Orders  were  sent 
to  Commodore  Montgomery  of  the  Portsmouth,  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  which  was  done  on  the  9th. 
Commodore  Sloat  took  such  measures  as  were  necessary  to 
make  secure  his  bloodless  victory.  The  commanding  officer  of 
the  Marines  on  this  occasion  was  Captain  Ward  Marston  ;  com- 
pany officers,  Second  Lieutenant  W.  A.  T.  Maddox  and  Second 
Lieutenant  Henry  W.  Queen. 

Military  possession  was  on  July  9th  taken  of  Verba  Buena,  and 
the  flag  of  the  United  States  displayed.  A  proclamation  was 
issued,  calling  upon  all  the  residents  of  that  district,  agreeably 
to  the  laws  of  the  United  States  regulating  the  militia,  to  enroll 
themselves  into  a  military  company,  appoint  their  own  officers, 
and  observe  such  rules  and  regulations  as  should  be  issued  for 
the  maintenance  of  order,  and  for  the  protection  of  property  in 
Yerba  Buena  and  its  immediate  neighborhood.  A  military 
guard  was  stationed  in  possession  of  the  custom-house,  under 
Second  Lieutenant  Henry  B.  Watson  of  the  Marines,  who  was 
appointed  the  military  commandant  pro  tern  of  all  the  Marines 
and  militia.  He  was  ordered  to  remain  in  military. possession 
as  the  commander  of  the  Marines  and  local  militia,  subject  to 
orders  from  his  superior  officers.  All  the  militia  organized  for 
the  protection  of  the  place  were  required  to  repair  to  the  ap- 


Operations  of  the  Marines  in  the  Pacific  Squadron.  89 

pointed  rendezvous,  upon  such  signal  as  he  should  designate, 
properly  armed  and  equipped,  and  he  was  directed  to  make 
requisition  upon  such  arms  and  ammunition  as  might  be 
required. 

A  bloodless  conquest  marked  the  occupation  of  Santa 
Barbara  during  the  following  August.  On  the  13th  of  August 
a  detachment  of  Marines  and  sailors  from  Commodore  Stock- 
ton's command  made  a  juncture  with  Major  Fremont's  force  and 
entered  Los  Angeles  without  opposition,  and  Lieutenant  A.  H. 
Gillespie  of  the  Marines  was  left  in  command  of  the  place  with 
a  small  force. 

About  the  close  of  the  following  month,  the  Mexicans  in  the 
neighborhood,  finding  that  the  main  force  of  the  Americans 
was  at  a  considerable  distance,  laid  siege  to  Los  Angeles.  The 
situation  became  critical,  and  Lieutenant  Gillespie  despatched 
a  courier  to  Monterey  to  notify  the  naval  forces  there  of  the 
danger  in  which  his  command  was  placed.  Leaving  Lieutenant 
Maddox  of  the  Marines  in  command  at  Monterey,  the  main 
portion  of  the  naval  force  started  for  San  Pedro  to  raise  the 
siege  at  Los  Angeles.  Scarcely  had  they  left  Monterey  when 
that  place  was  also  threatened  with  assault.  Lieutenant  Maddox 
sent  a  messenger  to  bring  back,  if  possible,  a  portion  of  the 
force  then  on  its  way  to  San  Pedro.  By  a  fortunate  combina- 
tion of  circumstances,  the  messenger  reached  the  Congress,  then 
accompanying  a  transport  of  troops  under  Fremont  from  San 
Francisco,  also  ordered  to  the  assistance  of  Lieutenant  Gillespie. 
A  sufficient  force  to  strengthen  the  position  of  Lieutenant 
Maddox  and  hold  it  against  the  Mexicans  was  sent  to  Monterey, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  command  proceeded  on  the  way 
toward  Los  Angeles.  It  proved  impossible,  however,  to  reach 
that  place  in  season  to  be  of  any  assistance  to  Lieutenant  Gil- 
lespie, who  was  forced  to  capitulate.  He  made  excellent  terms 
with  the  Mexican  commander,  nevertheless,  and  was  soon  allowed 
to  join  the  main  force.  It  was  not,  however,  until  after  a  brave 
and  determined,  though  unsuccessful  effort  had  been  made  by  a 


90  Operations  of  the  Marines  in  the  Pacific  Squadron. 

force  of  Marines  and  seamen  under  Captain  Mervine  of  the 
Navy  to  raise  the  siege.  Lieutenant  Gillespie  shortly  afterward 
commanded  the  Marines,  who,  in  connection  with  the  force  of 
seamen  under  Lieutenant  Minor  of  the  Navy,  made  a  gallant 
charge  on  the  Mexicans  at  San  Diego ;  where  the  enemy  was 
driven  back  in  confusion.  About  this  time  the  bravery  and  good 
conduct  of  Lieutenant  Gillespie  were  recognized  by  the  Depart- 
ment, and  he  received  a  captain's  commission.  He  was  shortly 
afterward  placed  in  command  of  an  expedition  to  surprise  the 
enemy  in  camp  at  San  Bernardo. 

Important  events  at  this  period  followed  each  other  in  rapid 
and  almost  confusing  succession.  Before  Captain  Gillespie's 
expedition  was  prepared  to  start  on  its  arduous  work,  Brigadier 
General  Kearney  arrived  in  California  to  take  command  of  the 
land  forces.  Captain  Gillespie's  force  was  immediately  ordered 
to  make  a  junction  with  Kearney's  dragoons.  Before  the  junc- 
tion could  be  made,  Kearney  made  an  attack  on  the  enemy  at 
San  Pasqual,  and  received  a  crushing  defeat,  the  Americans 
losing  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded,  Kearney  himself  being 
among  the  latter.  The  rapid  march  of  Commodore  Stockton's 
force  to  San  Gabriel  and  the  overwhelming  defeat  of  the  enemy 
at  that  point  followed ;  and  in  this  action,  as  in  all  the  others  in 
which  they  were  engaged,  the  Marines  did  excellent  work.  The 
officers  of  the  Marine  Corps  who  participated  in  these  opera- 
tions and  thus  added  additional  lustre  to  the  laurels  of  the 
Corps,  were  Captain  Gillespie,  Lieutenant  J.  Zeilin,  afterwards 
captain,  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Cash,  Lieutenant  W.  A.  T.  Maddox 
and  Lieutenant  James  Wiley. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  nearly  two  hundred  Marines  and  seamen 
from  the  Cumberland  and  Potomac,  under  the  orders  of  Cap- 
tain Aulick,  went  up  the  Rio  Grande  and  effected  a  junction 
with  a  detachment  of  the  Army  at  Barita,  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  and  about  fifteen  miles  from  its  mouth.  At  this  point 
they  established  a  post  without  any  opposition,  and  on  the  same 
day  the  Army,  under  General  Taylor,  crossed  the  river  and  en- 


Operations  of  the  Marines  in  the  Pacific  Squadron.  91 

tered  Matamoras.  The  officers  of  the  Corps  engaged  in  this 
expedition  were  First  Lieutenant  D.  D.  Baker  and  First  Lieu- 
tenant  Addison  Garland. 

At  the  capture  of  Tampico,  on  the  14th  of  November,  which 
was  accomplished  without  bloodshed,  one  hundred  Marines  and 
seamen  were  engaged,  the  Marines  being  under  command  of 
First  Lieutenant  D.  D.  Baker,  First  Lieutenant  William  Lang, 
First  Lieutenant  Addison  Garland,  and  Second  Lieutenant  J.  D. 
Simms. 

1847.  —  In  a  general  order,  issued  February  1,  1847,  Commo- 
dore Shubrick  said  :  "  For  disinterested  conduct,  the  company 
of  mounted  volunteers,  under  Lieutenant  Maddox  of  the 
Marine  Corps,  acting  as  captain,  is  tendered  the  thanks  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  and  will  without  doubt  receive  applause 
and  due  recompense  from  the  General  Government." 

In  September,  1847,  Lieutenant  Maddox  was  appointed  mili- 
tary commandant  of  the  Middle  Department  by  Commodore 
Stockton.  Subsequently,  in  a  letter  to  General  Henderson, 
Commodore  Stockton  wrote :  "  It  is  my  duty  as  well  as  pleasure 
to  inform  you  that  Lieutenant  Maddox  was  in  command  of  the 
Middle  Department  in  California  and  at  Monterey,  when  the 
insurrection  broke  out  in  that  country,  and  that  his  zeal  and 
gallantry  were  conspicuous  in  his  efforts  to  suppress  it.  It 
would  be  no  more  than  justice  if  his  services  there  should  be 
acknowledged  by  a  brevet." 

At  the  taking  of  Mazatlan,  in  the  middle  of  November,  which 
was  accomplished  without  firing  a  gun  or  losing  a  man,  in  spite 
of  the  insolent  threats  of  the  commandants,  the  following 
Marines  were  present  and  participated  in  the  victory  :  From  the 
Independence,  fifty  Marines  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
W.  W.  Russell ;  from  the  Congress,  thirty-six  Marines  under 
the  command  of  First  Lieutenant  J.  Zeilin ;  from  the  Cyane, 
eleven  Marines  under  Sergeant  Forrest  (the  balance  of  the 
guard  on  duty  at  San  Jose').  About  the  same  time,  the  Marines 
from  Commander  Selfridge's  force  on  the  Dale  defeated  supe- 


92  Operations  of  the  Marbles  in  the  Pacific  Squadron. 

rior  numbers  of  the  enemy  on  the  east  coast  of  Old  California, 
and  again,  righting  against  great  odds,  drove  the  Mexicans  from 
Guaymas,  where  Commander  Selfridge  was  severely  wounded. 
On  the  19th  of  the  same  month,  a  force  of  twenty  Marines,  at 
San  Jose',  under  Lieutenant  Haywood  of  the  Navy,  was  attacked 
by  the  Mexicans.  The  Marines,  aided  by  a  few  volunteers, 
defended  themselves  for  three  days  against  a  most  determined 
assault,  and  finally  drove  the  enemy  entirely  away. 

1848. — The  garrison  at  San  Josd,  which  was  stationed  in  a  rude 
made  from  an  old  mission  house,  was  soon  after  strengthened 
slightly,  so  that  the  entire  force  consisted  of  twenty-seven 
Marines,  ten  effective  seamen,  and  about  twenty  California  vol- 
unteers. The  town  was  deserted  by  its  inhabitants,  and  about 
fifty  women  and  children  sought  protection  in  the  fort  and  were 
supported  from  its  scanty  supplies.  In  the  latter  part  of  Janu- 
ary, 1848,  the  Mexicans  again  appeared  in  force  and  laid  siege 
to  the  little  fort.  The  siege  was  kept  up  till  the  middle  of  the 
following  month.  The  Marines  and  their  companions  in  arms 
suffered  from  lack  of  water,  but  defended  themselves  bravely 
until  the  arrival  of  the  Cyane,  when  by  the  united  efforts  of  the 
force  on  that  vessel  and  the  men  in  the  beleaguered  fort,  the 
Mexicans  were  defeated  with  severe  loss.  One  writer,  in  speak- 
ing of  this  action,  says :  "The  coolness,  perseverance,  and  in- 
domitable resolution  displayed  in  this  long  defence  against  such 
superior  numbers  cannot  but  draw  upon  the  actors  especial 
notice  and  renown,  and  place  it  among  the  many  memorable 
achievements  of  this  war." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  of  Commodore 
Shubrick,  commanding  Pacific  squadron,  dated  on  board  the 
Independence,  Mazatlan,  February  21st:  "The  Marines  have 
behaved  with  the  fidelity  and  constancy  which  characterizes 
that  valuable  Corps,  and  I  embrace  this  opportunity  respect- 
fully to  recommend  that  ships  coming  to  this  station  be  allowed 
as  large  a  complement  of  these  valuable  men  as  possible.  The 
service  would    be  greatly  benefited  by  doubling   the  number 


Operations  of  the  Marines  i?i  the  Pacific  Squadron.  93 

allowed  to  each  ship,  and  reducing  to  the  same  extent,  if  neces- 
sary, the  complement  of  landsmen  and  ordinary  seamen.  The 
want  of  Marines  is  strongly  felt  in  all  operations  on  shore." 

On  the  14th,  Lieutenant  Stanley  of  the  Dale  landed  at  Guay- 
mas  with  a  force  of  Marines  and  seamen,  and  marched  to  the 
attack  of  the  post  of  Bacochi  Vampa.  The  barracks  were  situ- 
ated on  a  spur  of  the  mountain  facing  the  west,  stony  and  bushy, 
which  rendered  a  near  approach  without  discovery  impossible. 
As  soon  as  the  sentinel  hailed  them,  according  to  previous 
arrangement,  they  charged  in  double  quick  time.  But  duty  and 
ambition  could  not  take  them  up  to  the  barracks  as  fast  as  fear 
carried  the  flying  enemy  away.  They  made  but  one  prisoner  ; 
several  of  the  others  left  their  arms,  ammunition,  accoutre- 
ments and  stores,  and  one  officer  the  best  part  of  his  uniform. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

1846-8. — THE  MEXICAN  WAR,  II.  —  OPERATIONS  OF  THE  MARINES 
CONNECTED   WITH   THE   SQUADRON    ON   THE    EAST   COAST. 

WHILE  the  Marines  connected  with  the  naval  force  on  the 
west  coast  were  doing  such  excellent  service,  the  officers 
and  men  belonging  to  the  Corps  and  attached  to  the  squadron 
on  the  east  coast  were  also  aiding  materially  in  the  work  going 
on  in  that  section.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the 
Corps  attached  to  the  Home  Squadron,  in  1846,  Commodore 
David  Conner  commander-in-chief:  Frigate  Cumberland,  First 
Lieutenant  D.  D.  Baker;  Frigate  Raritan,  First  Lieutenant 
William  Lang;  Frigate  Potomac,  First  Lieutenant  Addison 
Garland;  Sloop  John  Adams,  First  Lieutenant  R.  C.  Cald- 
well; Sloop  St.  Mary's,  Second  Lieutenant  John  D.  Simms. 
In  1847,  the  list  of  officers  attached  to  the  Home  Squadron 
was  as  follows :  Frigate  Raritan,  Captain  Alvin  Edson  and 
Second  Lieutenant  George  Adams ;  Frigate  Potomac,  First 
Lieutenant  Addison  Garland  ;  Sloop  Albany,  Second  Lieutenant 
William  B.  Slack ;  Sloop  John  Adams,  First  Lieutenant  Robert 
C.  Caldwell,  Second  Lieutenant  Felix  G.  Mayson ;  Sloop  St. 
Mary's,  Second  Lieutenant  John  D.  Simms.  The  following  were 
the  officers  attached  to  the  same  squadron,  Commodore  M.  C. 
Perry  commander-in-chief,  in  1848  :  Frigate  Cumberland,  First 
Lieutenant  Isaac  T.  Doughty  and  Second  Lieutenant  Jacob 
Read;  Sloop  Albany,  Second  Lieutenant  William  Butterfield; 
94 


The  Mexican  War.  95 

Steamer  Mississippi,  First  Lieutenant  William  B.  Slack,  Second 
Lieutenant  William  F.  Perry. 

On  the  29th  of  December,  1846,  in  consequence  of  a  number  of 
Californians  having  taken  up  arms  against  the  United  States, 
and  taken  Lieutenant  Bartlett,  United  States  Navy,  six  seamen, 
and  others,  prisoners,  an  expedition,  consisting  of  a  detachment 
of  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  Tansill,  a  field-piece  in  charge  of 
Passed  Midshipman  D.  Jough,  the  San  Jose  mounted  volunteers, 
under  Captain  Weber,  and  the  San  Francisco  mounted  volun- 
teers, under  Captain  William  M.  Smith,  and  Assistant  Surgeon 
M.  Duvall,  acting  surgeon 'and  aid,  —  the  whole  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Ward  Marston,  United  States  Marine  Corps, 
amounting  in  all  to  one  hundred  and  one  officers  and  men,  left 
San  Francisco  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  On  the  2d  of  January, 
1847,  when  within  about  seven  miles  of  the  mission  of  Santa 
Clara,  arid  distant  some  fifty  miles  from  San  Francisco,  the  enemy 
were  discovered,  at  first  few  in  number,  but  increasing  to  about 
one  hundred  and  thirty  men,  all  mounted  on  the  best  horses. 
This  force  was  driven  back  about  two  miles,  when  the  Americans 
found  their  advance  impeded  by  a  deep  marsh,  and  in  attempt- 
ing to  cross  it,  the  Marines  and  those  in  front  were  over  their 
knees  in  mud.  While  in  this  position,  the  enemy  attempted  to 
drive  down  about  five  hundred  wild  cattle,  to  break  the  ranks, 
and  some  twenty-five  Californians  came  within  range  of  the  gun 
and  opened  fire  on  the  Americans.  At  this  time,  Captains 
Smith  and  Marston  distinguished  themselves  by  securing  the 
spare  horses  of  the  enemy  which  became  frightened.  Captain 
Marston  ordered  the  Marines  to  open  on  the  cattle,  and  the 
gun  to  open  on  the  Californians,  and  Lieutenant  Tansill  and 
Passed  Midshipman  D.  Joung  displayed  great  activity  in  execut- 
ing this  order,  which  resulted  in  driving  the  Californians  and 
their  auxiliaries  from  the  field.  That  evening  a  flag  of  truce 
was  sent  in  by  the  Californians,  asking,  on  the  part  of  Colonel 
Sanches,  their  commander,  an  interview  with  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  Americans,  each  to  be  accompanied  by  two  offi- 


g6  Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast. 

cers.  Accordingly,  the  next  morning  Captain  Marston,  ac- 
companied by  Captain  Smith  and  Surgeon  Duvall,  proceeded  to 
the  appointed  place  of  meeting.  Colonel  Sanches  then  laid 
before  Captain  Marston  a  series  of  complaints  of  abuses  which 
the  Californians  had  experienced,  and  also  professed  a  perfect 
willingness  on  their  part  to  surrender  and  retire  to  their 
homes,  if  they  could  be  assured  of  future  protection.  As  Cap- 
tain Marston  had  no  authority  to  treat  with  him,  he  proposed  an 
armistice,  till  he  could  communicate  with  the  commander  of 
the  district,  and  receive  his  instructions,  which  was  readily 
agreed  to,  and  a  messenger  despatched  to  San  Francisco.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  armistice,  the  Americans  were  reinforced 
by  the  arrival  of  Captain  Maddox's  company  of  Monterey 
Mounted  Volunteers.  An  answer  was  received  on  the  6th  of 
January,  saying  the  only  conditions  with  which  the  Californians 
could  be  treated,  were  for  them  to  lay  down  their  arms,  surren- 
der their  prisoners  and  horses,  and  retire  to  their  homes,  all  of 
which  were  complied  with  on  the  following  day.  In  the  action 
of  the  2d  of  January,  the  Americans  had  two  wounded,  a  Marine 
and  one  of  Captain  Webers  men.  The  Californians  admitted 
that  eleven  of  their  men  were  hit  in  their  clothing,  but  were  un- 
injured, which  they  attributed  to  the  justice  of  their  cause  and 
interposition  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  for  which  they  celebrated 
mass  in  the  Church  of  Santa  Clara.  It  was  ascertained  after- 
wards that  their  loss  was  four  killed  and  five  wounded. 

On  the  afternoon  of  May  8,  1846,  five  hundred  seamen  and 
Marines  were  landed  from  the  squadron  under  Captain  Gregory 
of  the  Raritan,  to  defend  Point  Isabel.  On  the  morning  of  the 
18th  of  May,  a  detachment  of  nearly  two  hundred  seamen  and 
Marines,  from  the  Cumberland  and  Potomac,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Aulick,  in  the  boats  of  the  two  vessels,  entered 
the  Rio  Grande,  to  cooperate  with  a  detachment  from  the  Army 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilson,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  establishing  a  post  at  Barita,  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  about  fifteen   miles  from   its   mouth.     This  was  accom- 


Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast.  97 

plished  without  opposition.  The  Marines  from  the  Cumberland 
and  Potomac  were  under  the  command  of  First  Lieutenants 
D.  D.  Baker  and  Addison  Garland. 

The  Mississippi,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  seamen  and 
Marines  from  the  Cumberland  and  the  Princeton,  put  to  sea  on 
the  1 2th  of  November.  At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  14th, 
the  force  reached  the  bar  of  Tampico.  A  detachment  of  three 
hundred  officers,  Marines  and  seamen  in  boats  were  carried 
over  the  bar  safely,  and  passed  into  the  river  without  opposition, 
the  fort  at  the  entrance  having  been  abandoned.  On  approach- 
ing the  town  it  surrendered.  The  Marines  and  seamen  were 
not  landed.  The  first  work  of  importance  in  which  the  Marines 
of  the  home  squadron  were  engaged,  was  in  October,  in  connec- 
tion with  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry's  expedition  up  the  Tobasco 
river,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Frontera  and  Tobasco. 
The  expedition  sailed  on  the  16th  of  October,  and  arrived  off 
the  mouth  of  the  Tobasco  on  the  23rd.  The  town  of  Frontera 
was  taken  without  serious  resistance,  with  several  sailing 
vessels  and  two  steamers.  On  the  25th,  Tobasco  was  reached, 
and  the  squadron  anchored  in  order  of  battle  abreast  of  the 
town,  within  half-musket  range.  A  messenger  was  sent  on 
shore  with  a  summons  to  the  Governor  to  surrender.  An  insolent 
answer  was  returned,  and  an  invitation  sent  back  to  the  com- 
mander to  fire  as  soon  as  he  pleased.  Commodore  Perry  was 
extremely  reluctant  to  destroy  the  town  and  to  subject  the  in- 
habitants to  the  miseries  of  a  bombardment.  It  was  necessary, 
however,  to  make  some  demonstration  of  his  power,  and  he 
consequently  began  a  bombardment,  which  was  kept  up  till  the 
bravado  of  the  official  was  thoroughly  punished,  after  which 
Commodore  Perry  took  his  departure.  While  there  was  no  op- 
portunity for  any  special  exhibition  of  courage,  the  Marines  per- 
formed their  duty  faithfully,  and  with  a  coolness  and  precision 
that  were  most  commendable.  The  bloodless  but  handsome 
second  victory  at  Tampico  soon  followed,  in  which  also  the 
excellent  bearing  of  the  Marines  was  noticeable. 
7 


98  Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast. 

During  the  autumn  a  plan  was  marked  out  which  contem- 
plated the  reduction  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  march  of  a  large 
army  to  the  capital  Accordingly,  the  following  year  opened 
with  very  extensive  and  active  preparations  for  the  attack.  On 
the  coast  of  Mexico  was  soon  assembled  what  was  up  to  that 
time  the  largest  force  ever  under  the  command  of  a  single 
American  naval  officer.  The  debarkation  was  appointed  to 
take  place  on  the  8th  of  March.  General  orders  were  therefore 
issued  on  the  7th,  by  the  commodore  and  the  commanding- 
general,  prescribing  the  necessary  arrangements.  The  officers 
of  the  Marine  Corps  who  were  attached  to  the  battalion  in  the 
operations  before  Vera  Cruz  were :  Captain  Alvin  Edson,  First 
Lieutenant  Addison  Garland,  First  Lieutenant  Robert  C.  Cald- 
well, Second  Lieutenant  W.  B.  Slack,  Second  Lieutenant  J.  D. 
Simms,  Second  Lieutenant  George  Adams,  and  Second  Lieuten- 
ant Felix  G.  Mayson.  During  the  siege,  a  detachment  of 
officers  and  sailors  were  assigned  a  place  in  the  trenches,  and 
did  noble  service.  The  Marines  behaved  with  their  accustomed 
gallantry,  and  shared  the  honors  with  their  gallant  brethren  of 
the  Army  and  Navy.  On  the  29th  of  March,  the  combined 
forces  of  the  Army  and  Navy  took  possession  of  the  city  and 
castle,  while  the  American  flag  floated  over  both,  amid  a  grand 
salute  from  the  squadron  and  the  batteries.  The  following  is 
an  extract  from  Commodore  Conner's  report,  dated  on  board 
the  Raritan,  off  Sacrificios,  March  10,  1874:  "General  Scott 
has  now  with  him  upwards  of  eleven  thousand  men.  At  his 
request,  I  permitted  the  Marines  of  the  squadron,  under  Captain 
Edson,  to  join  him,  as  a  part  of  the  Third  Regiment  of  artillery." 
On  the  28th  of  March,  Brigadier  General  Worth  issued  the 
following:  "The  General  of  Brigade  avails  himself  of  the 
occasion  on  separating  from  Captain  Edson,  his  officers  and 
men,  to  express  his  high  appreciation  of  the  energy,  zeal  and 
thorough  soldiership  which  marked  their  effective  cooperation 
during  our  association,  and  also  to  tender  his  cordial  thanks 
and  respects." 


Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast.  99 

Commodore  Perry  relieved  Commodore  Conner  on  the  21st 
of  March,  and  turned  his  attention  to  a  movement  against  Tus- 
pau.  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  April,  after  all  due  prepara- 
tions had  been  made,  the  whole  force  was  detached  from  the  ship, 
forming  the  landing  party,  and  carried  in  barges,  numbering 
one  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety  officers,  seamen  and  Ma- 
rines, with  four  pieces  of  light  artillery  for  land  service.  The 
whole  was  led  by  Commodore  Perry.  The  Mexicans  made 
but  a  feeble  defence.  They  rapidly  fell  back,  deserting  the 
batteries  before  the  landing  party  could  get  near  enough  to 
storm  them.  The  attack  proved  entirely  successful,  and  the 
capture  was  effected,  with  a  loss  to  the  Americans  of  only 
three  seamen  killed  and  five  officers  and  six  men  wounded. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  officers  of  the  Marine 
Corps  engaged  in  this  expedition  :  Captain  Alvin  Edson,  First 
Lieutenant  Addison  Garland,  First  Lieutenant  Robert  C.  Cald- 
well, First  Lieutenant  VV.  B.  Slack,  Second  Lieutenant  M.  R. 
Kintzing,  Second  Lieutenant  George  Adams,  and  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Felix  G.  Mayson. 

Some  six  months  had  elapsed  since  the  affair  at  Tobasco,  when 
news  reached  Commodore  Perry  that  matters  at  that  town  had 
assumed  such  a  phase  that  the  presence  of  an  American  force 
was  needed  to  compel  a  proper  respect  for  the  authority  of  the 
United  States.  Early  in  June,  he  started  with  a  formidable  force. 
The  officers  of  the  Corps  engaged  in  the  operations  at  Tobasco, 
were:  Captain  Alvin  Edson,  Lieutenant  W.  B.  Slack,  Lieuten- 
ant M.  R.  Kintzing,  Lieutenant  Robert  C.  Caldwell,  Second 
Lieutenant  George  Adams,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Felix  G. 
Mayson.  The  expedition  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tobasco 
river,  and,  after  various  adventures,  reached  a  point  below 
Tobasco,  when  a  landing  was  made.  The  force  on  shore 
marched  to  attack  Tobasco  by  land,  while  the  vessels  advanced 
to  lay  siege  from  the  river. 

The  Scorpion  pushed  on  up  the  stream,  and  upon  arriving 
off  the  town,  Captain  Bigelow  demanded    a   surrender  of  the 


ioo        Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast. 

place  from  the  authorities,  which  was  acceded  to.  The  officer 
sent  to  hoist  the  American  colors,  while  in  the  act  of  unfurling 
it  to  the  breeze  from  the  top  of  the  government  house,  was 
fired  upon  several  times,  one  ball  passing  through  the  flag,  but 
he  escaped  untouched.  About  three  hours  after  the  stars  and 
stripes  had  floated  over  the  town  and  port,  the  land  expedition, 
which  it  had  been  supposed  would  have  the  chief  part  of  the 
honor  and  glory  of  taking  the  place,  came  in  sight  of  the  fort, 
when  to  their  surprise  they  beheld  the  flag  waving  over  it,  which 
told  them  they  were  too  late,  the  work  having  been  done  by  their 
more  fortunate  friends  attached  to  the  flotilla.  The  commodore 
remained  until  the  22nd  inst,  and  then  left  to  rejoin  the  squadron 
outside  the  bar,  leaving  as  the  garrison  of  the  place- two  officers 
of  Marines,  and  sixty-nine  men  under  Lieutenant  Slack,  besides 
the  bomb  brig  "^Etna"  and  steamers  Spitfire  and  Scourge, 
anchored  off  the  town.  Captain  Van  Brunt  of  the  "y<£tna"  was 
left  as  Governor,  and  Lieutenant  Slack  as  military  commandant. 
On  the  24th  inst.,  two  field  pieces  were  landed,  which,  with  the 
one  already  ashore,  were  placed  in  battery  in  the  main  plaza 
commanding  the  various  entrances  to  it ;  the  guard,  twenty- 
eight  men,  were  quartered  there,  and  the  balance  of  the  sixty- 
nine  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  Adams,  were  ordered  to  march 
directly  to  the  square  in  the  event  of  an  alarm.  Two  of  the 
pieces  were  manned  by  eight  sailors,  each  under  their  respective 
officers;  the  third  piece  was  manned  with  seven  Marines, 
under  charge  of  a  corporal,  they  having  formerly  served  in  the 
artillery. 

On  that  very  night,  between  ten  and  eleven  o'clock,  an  effort 
was  made  to  drive  them  in  from  the  plaza  by  about  two  hundred 
Mexicans  divided  in  two  parties,  the  one  large,  the  other  small, 
the  latter  to  be  the  feint  and  the  former  the  real  attack,  led  on 
by  Colonel  Garcia,  an  officer  of  some  talent  and  considerable 
courage.  The  sentries,  being  fired  upon  by  the  small  body, 
retired  and  joined  the  guard,  the  large  body  in  the  meantime 
pressing   on  in   another  direction  to  gain  an   old   dilapidated 


Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast.        101 

building  facing  the  square,  from  which  they  evidently  expected 
to  do  some  telling  work. 

The  guard  was  under  arms  in  front  of  the  guard-house,  and 
as  every  man  stood  thus  at  his  post,  a  volley  of  musketry  from 
the  old  building  was  fired  at  the  guns  ;  instantly  the  three  pieces 
blazed  away  at  the  building,  the  Marine  piece  firing  twice.  In 
a  few  minutes  after,  all  was  quiet  again,  and  having  re-posted 
the  sentinels  and  dismissed  the  guard,  Lieutenant  Slack  laid 
down  and  slept  until  morning,  not  even  dreaming  of  a  Mexican. 
From  that  time  forward,  troops  could  be  seen  every  day  outside 
the  city  limits  moving  from  one  point  to  another,  and  at  night 
the  sentinels  were  sure  to  be  fired  upon  from  various  points, 
thus  causing  all  hands  to  be  continually  under  arms. 

On  the  night  of  July  26th,  Captain  Bigelow  of  the  Scorpion 
arrived  from  the  squadron,  intending  to  return  almost  immedi- 
ately, but  upon  being  informed  by  Captain  Van  Brun  of  the 
state  of  affairs  ashore,  he  determined  to  remain  and  despatch  a 
boat  to  the  commodore,  advising  him  of  the  necessity  of  a  re- 
inforcement. On  the  29th  the  Vixen  returned,  bringing  an  in- 
crease in  force  of  fifty-five  Marines  and  fifty  sailors.  Captain 
Bigelow  now  determined  to  fit  out  an  expedition  and  beat 
up  the  enemy's  quarters  wherever  he  could  be  found.  Accord- 
ingly, on  the  30th,  he  left  Tobasco  with  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  sailors  as  small  arm  men,  seventy-five  Marines, 
under  Lieutenant  Slack,  and  two  field  pieces  (six  pounders),  and 
from  information  in  his  possession  of  the  enemy's  whereabouts, 
moved  for  an  Indian  village  about  four  miles  distant,  called 
Tamulte.  Just  before  arriving  at  the  village,  and  while  ascend- 
ing a  gentle  acclivity,  a  fire  of  musketry  was  opened  by  a  body 
of  troops  occupying  the  summit,  and  mostly  covered  from  view 
by  a  growth  of  underwood.  This  fire  was  handsomely  returned 
by  Lieutenant  Slack's  men,  and  the  two  pieces  of.  artillery  were 
soon  brought  into  position.  For  about  twenty  minutes  a  con- 
stant and  general  firing  was  maintained  on  both  sides,  until 
finally  the  Mexicans  began  to  give  way,  at  first  slowly,  but  soon 


102        Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast. 

in  a  rapid  retreat.  Throughout  the  fight  Captain  Bigelow  and 
Lieutenant  Slack  acted  with  a  courage  and  judgment  worthy  of  all 
praise.  This  was  the  first  affair  of  the  kind  where  Lieutenant 
Slack  had  a  separate  command  ;  being  the  senior  Marine  officer, 
he  of  course,  had  command  of  all  the  Marines.  During  the 
action,  the  Americans  lost  two  men  killed  and  two  wounded,  one 
severely  and  the  other  slightly.  Lieutenant  Kintzing  was  also 
slightly  wounded  by  a  spent  ball,  and  two  men  were  badly 
burned  by  the  accidental  explosion  of  powder  in  a  building. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  ascertained. 

After  the  above  fight,*  for  a  day  or  two  they  were  relieved 
from  all  annoyances  from  the  enemy,  but  the  latter  soon  again, 
began  the  old  system  of  night  attacks,  and  finally  on  the  14th 
and  15th  of  July,  during  the  day,  went  into  town,  and  from  a 
hill  within  range  of  the  plaza,  fired  upon  the  Americans.  The 
latter  drove  them  out,  and  endeavored  to  pursue  them,  but 
their  better  knowledge  of  the  country  enabled  them  to  escape 
easily.  Among  the  Americans  the  sick  list  began  to  increase 
very  rapidly,  and  soon  one  half  the  men  were  down.  The 
commodore  being  informed  of  the  extent  of  sickness  prevailing, 
determined  finally  to  abandon  the  place.  Accordingly,  on  the 
morning  of  the  22nd  of  July,  the  colors  were  hauled  down,  the 
Marines  paying  the  proper  salute  upon  the  occasion.  The 
Americans  then  left  the  plaza,  marching  in  column  to  the  air  of 
Hail  Columbia,  and  embarked  on  board  the  vessels  bound 
down  the  river. 

In  a  communication  to  the  Department,  dated  on  board  the 
Mississippi,  July  28th,  Commodore  Perry  wrote  :  "  In  transmit- 
ting the  accompanying  correspondence,  I  feel  myself  called 
upon  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  Department  to  the  zeal 
and  gallantry  with  which  Commander  Bigelow,  Commander 
Van  Brunt,  and  all  the  officers,  seamen  and  Marines  of  the 
detachment  left  by  me  at  Tobasco,  performed  their  arduous 
duties  in  defending  the  city  against  a  most  active  enemy." 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  of  Commodore 


Operations  with  the  Squadron  on  the  East  Coast.        103 

Perry,  dated  U.  S.  Flagship  Mississippi,  Anton  Lizardo,  July  4, 
1847  :  "  Since  the  receipt  of  your  despatch  of  the  21st  of  May, 
received  on  the  1st  inst.,   I  have   had  an  interview  with  Briga- 
dier General  Pierce,  whose  brigade  the  Marines  ordered   to  be 
detached  from  the  squadron   are  to  join.     General  Pierce  has 
fully  agreed  with  me  that  the  small  force  of  Marines  in    the 
squadron,    about  one  hundred  and  ninety  effective  men,    will 
be  of  little  advantage  to  him,   and   that  the  consequences   of 
withdrawing  them,  and  the  necessity  of  the  immediate  evacua- 
tion of  Tobasco,  and  of  weakening  other  posts  in   our  posses- 
sion (measures  that  will  be  rendered  indispensable  by  the  de- 
tachment of  the   Marines  from  the  squadron),  will  produce  a 
most  pernicious  influence  with  the  enemy,  who  always  claim   as 
a  triumph  any  retrograde  movement  of  ours.     I  beg  to  be  un- 
derstood that  the  order  of  the  21st  of  May  will  be  obeyed  in 
part  immediately,  however  it  may  inconvenience  the  ships  of 
the  squadron  ;  and  the  withdrawal  of  the  Marines  from  Tobasco, 
Laguna,  Frontera  and  Alvarado  will  be  postponed  only  till  I 
can  receive  a  reply  to  this  communication  or  hear  sooner  from 
the  Department  on  the  subject.     This  arrangement  can  produce 
very  little  delay,  as  it  will  require  considerable   time  to   collect 
together  the  Marines,  dispersed  as  they  are  along  the  coast,  at 
points  the  extremes  of  which  embrace  a  distance  of  nearly  six 
hundred  miles  in  extent.     I  shall  await  with  much  interest  your 
communications,  and  hope  that  you  will  not  only  soon  be  able 
to  replace  the  Marines  withdrawn  from  the  squadron,  but  add  to 
their  number." 

It  is  stated  that  General  Pierce  urged  the  commodore  to 
"  take  the  responsibility  "  of  retaining  his  Marines  and  holding 
his  captured  places,  and  offered  a  letter  expressive  of  his  con- 
clusion and  judgment  to  this  end,  which  the  commodore  said 
was  unnecessary. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

1847-8. — THE  MEXICAN  WAR,  III. OPERATIONS  OF  THE  MARINES 

ATTACHED   TO   GENERAL    SCOTT'S   ARMY. RECAPITULATION, 

ETC. 

IN  June  a  battalion  of  Marines  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Watson  sailed  from  Fort  Hamilton, 
New  York  Harbor,  to  join  the  Army  under  General  Scott.  The 
battalion  debarked  at  Vera  Cruz  and  joined  the  main  Army  at 
Puebla  August  6.  Lieutenant-colonel  Watson's  command 
was  assigned  to  Major-general  Quitman's  Division,  and  Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Watson  was  placed  in  command  of  the  Second 
Brigade,  which  consisted  of  the  battalion  of  Marines  and  a 
battalion  of  the  Second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  Leaving  a 
competent  garrison  in  Puebla,  the  Army  under  Scott  marched 
toward  the  Mexican  capital.  The  history  of  the  battles  which 
resulted  in  the  splendid  victory  at  the  capital  has  been  written 
many  times,  and  does  not  need  to  be  repeated  here.  The 
present  writing  can  only  take  cognizance  of  the  special  part 
borne  by  the  Marines  in  those  days  of  battle  and  of  triumph. 
Writing  under  date  of  August  27,  General  Scott  said :  "  I 
regret  having  been  obliged,  on  the  20th,  to  leave  Major- 
general  Quitman,  an  able  commander,  with  a  part  of  his 
division,  —  the  fine  Second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  the 
veteran  detachment  of  United  States  Marines,  —  at  our  era- 
portant  depot,  San  Augustine.  It  was  there  that  I  had  placed 
our  sick  and  wounded,  the  siege,  supply,  and  baggage  trains. 
104 


The  Mexican   War,  III.  105 

If  these  had  been  lost,  the  Army  would  have  been  driven  almost 
to  despair  ;  and,  considering  the  enemy's  very  great  excess  of 
numbers,  and  the  many  approaches  to  the  depot,  it  might  well 
have  become,  emphatically,  the  post  of  honor." 

September  14th,  at  the  end  of  a  series  of  arduous  and  brilliant 
operations,  of  more  than  forty-eight  hours  continuance,  the 
American  Army  hoisted  the  colors  of  the  United  States  on  the 
walls  of  the  National  Palace  of  Mexico.  The  honor  of  first 
entering  the  palace,  and  of  placing  upon  it  the  stars  and  stripes, 
was  accorded  to  the  division  with  which  Lieutenant-colonel 
Watson's  brigade  was  connected,  thus  explaining  and  justifying 
the  motto  afterwards  inscribed  upon  the  colors  of  the  Marines 
at  Washington  :  "  From  Tripoli  to  the  Halls  of  the  Montezumas." 
In  all  the  fighting  that  marked  the  course  of  the  Army,  from 
its  first  appearance  before  the  gates  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  to 
the  clay  when  victory  was  assured,  nothing  could  exceed  the 
coolness,  bravery,  and  discipline  displayed  by  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  Marine  Corps.  In  the  storming  of  Chapultepec,  a 
party  of  Marines  under  command  of  Major  Levi  Twiggs  of  the 
Corps,  performed  feats  of  almost  superhuman  bravery  and 
fortitude.  Another  party  of  picked  men,  with  ladders,  crow- 
bars, etc.,  under  command  of  Captain  Reynolds,  also  of  the 
Corps,  made  a  terrible  and  effective  onslaught  on  the  works  of 
the  enemy.  Major  Twiggs  was  killed  while  leading  the  assault. 
The  Marines  accompanied  their  division  in  all  its  progress, 
and  participated  in  the  long  and  bloody  battle,  by  which,  finally, 
the  avenue  to  the  city  was  opened.  On  the  morning  of  the 
14th,  the  division  of  General  Quitman  entered  the  city,  and 
was  the  first  portion  of  the  Army  to  march  into  the  Grand 
Plaza.  The  palace  was  overrun  with  escaped  convicts,  and 
other  desperate  characters,  bent  on  plunder.  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Watson,  with  his  battalion  of  Marines,  was  ordered  to 
clear  it  of  these  intruders  and  protect  it  from  spoliation,  which 
duty  he  promptly  and  successfully  performed.  The  Corps  lost 
in  the  actions  detailed  above,  Major  Twiggs  and  six  men  killed, 


106         Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scott's  Army. 

two  lieutenants  and  two  sergeants  wounded.  The  following  is 
a  roster  of  officers  of  the  battalion  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant-colonel  Watson  :  — 

Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Samuel  E.  Watson,  Major  Levi 
Twiggs  and  Major  William  Dulany. 

Staff,  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  D.  D.  Baker,  First 
Lieutenant  and  Acting  Quartermaster  J.  S.  Develin. 

Captains  John  G.  Reynolds,  George  H.  Terrett  and  William 
Lang. 

First  Lieutenants  Jabez  C.  Rich,  Robert  C.  Caldwell,  Wil- 
liam L.  Young,  Thomas  A.  Brady,  John  D.  Simms  and  Daniel 
J.  Sutherland. 

Second  Lieutenants  George  Adams,  Ed.  McD.  Reynolds, 
Thomas  Y.  Field,  Charles  G.  McCawley,  Freeman  Norvell, 
Charles  A.  Henderson,  John  S.  Nicholson,  Augustus  S.  Nichol- 
son and  Henry  Welsh. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the 
Marine  battalion  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Watson,  inci- 
dent to  the  capture  of  Chapultepec  and  the  City  of  Mexico,  on 
the  13th  and  14th  of  September. 

Wounded  at  Chapultepec  :  —  Staff :  First  Lieutenant  and 
Adjutant  D.  D.  Baker,  slightly  ;  First  Lieutenant  and  Acting 
Quartermaster  J.  S.  Develin,  slightly  ;  Sergeant  Major  James 
Montgomery,  slightly ;  Commissary  Sergeant,  James  Orr, 
severely. 

Killed  :  —  Major  Levi  Twiggs,  at  Chapultepec  ;  Corporal 
Hugh  Graham  and  Privates  Anthony  A.  Egbert,  Andrew  Mc- 
Laughlin, John  Herbert,  Matthew  Banks  and  Thomas  Kelly,  all 
at  the  gate  of  the  city. 

Wounded  :  —  Company  A  \  Privates  Seebeck  and  Milburn,  at 
the  City  of  Mexico. 

Company  B :  Sergeant  John  Roach,  and  Privates  Hugh 
Rooney,  Martin  Fogg,  John  McGihen,  P.  Phoenix  and  S.  Wil- 
liamson, all  at  Chapultepec. 

Company  C  :  Privates  Briggs  and  Connor,  at  Chapultepec. 


Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scotfs  Army.        107 

Company  D  :  Sergeants  J.  Curran,  G.  Tansil,  and  W,  J. 
Wilson,  and  Private  Thomas  Quinn,  at  Chapultepec. 

Company  E :  Privates  Thomas  B.  Smith  and  E.  Stevens,  at 
Chapultepec. 

Company  F :  Second  Lieutenant  Charles  A.  Henderson, 
Musician  McDonald,  and  Privates  E.  Cooper  and  James  Linns, 
all  at  Chapultepec. 

The  following  extract  from  the  report  of  Major-general  Quit- 
man, dated  at  the  National  Palace,  Mexico,  September  29, 
gives  a  vivid  idea  of  the  work  accomplished  by  the  Marines  : 
"  During  the  day,  I  succeeded,  under  cover  of  our  batteries,  in 
making  an  important  reconnoissance  of  the  grounds  and  works 
immediately  at  the  base  of  the  castle.  The  supporting  party 
on  this  reconnoissance  was  commanded  by  the  late  Major 
Twiggs,  of  the  Marines,  and  sustained  during  the  observation  a 
brisk  fire  from  the  batteries  and  small  arms  of  the  enemy,  who, 
when  the  party  were  retiring,  came  out  of  the  works  in  large 
numbers  ;  and,  although  repeatedly  checked  by  the  fire  of  our 
troops,  continued  to  advance  as  the  supporting  party  retired, 
until  they  were  dispersed,  with  considerable  loss,  by  several 
discharges  of  canister  from  the  guns  of  Captain  Drum's  battery, 
and  a  well-directed  fire  from  the  right  of  the  Second  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  posted  on  the  flank  of  the  battery  for  its  sup- 
port. During  the  day,  my  command  was  reinforced  by  a  select 
battalion  from  General  Twiggs'  division,  intended  as  a  storming 
party,  consisting  of  thirteen  officers  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
men  and  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  chosen  for 
this  service  out  of  the  Rifles,  First  and  Fourth  Regiments  of 
artillery,  Second,  Third,  and  Seventh  Regiments  of  infantry, 
all  under  the  command  of  Captain  Silas  Casey,  Second  Infantry. 
At  dawn  on  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  batteries  again  opened 
an  active  and  effective  fire  upon  the  castle,  which  was  returned 
by  the  enemy  with  spirit  and  some  execution,  disabling  for  a 
time  the  eighteen  pounder  in  battery  No.  1,  and  killing  one 
of  the  men  at  the  guns. 


1 08         Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scott's  Army. 

"  During  this  cannonade,  active  preparations  were  made   for 
the  assault  on  the   castle.     Ladders,  pickaxes,  and  crows  were 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  pioneer  storming  party  of  select  men 
from   the  volunteer  division,  under  command  of  Captain  Rey- 
nolds of  the  Marine  Corps,  to   accompany  the   storming  party 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  which  had  been  selected  from 
all  Corps  of  the  same  division,  and  placed  under  the  command 
of   Major  Twiggs    of    the    Marines.     Perceiving    that   all    the 
preliminary  dispositions  were  made,  Major  Gladden,  with   his 
regiment,  having  passed  the  wall  by  breaching  it,  the  New  York 
and   Pennsylvania    regiments    having    entered    over   an    aban- 
doned battery  on  their  left,  and  the  battalion  of  Marines  being 
posted  to  support  the  storming  parties,  I  ordered  the  assault  a*t 
all  points.     The  storming  parties,  led  by  the  gallant  officers  who 
had  volunteered  for  this  desperate  service,  rushed  forward  like 
a   resistless   tide.     The    Mexicans   behind   their  batteries  and 
breastworks  stood  with  more  than  usual  firmness.     For  a  short 
time  the  contest  was  hand-to-hand  ;  swords  and  bayonets  were 
crossed,    and   rifles   clubbed.     Resistance,    however,    was  vain 
against  the  desperate  valor  of  our  brave  troops.     The  batteries 
and  strong  works  were  carried,  and  the   ascent  of  Chapultepec 
on  that  side   laid   open   to   an   easy  conquest.     In   these  works 
were  taken  seven  pieces  of  artillery,  one  thousand  muskets,  and 
five  hundred   and   fifty  prisoners,   of  whom  one  hundred  were 
officers,  among  them  one  general  and   ten  colonels.     *     *     * 
The  command  of  the  storming  party  from  the  volunteer  division 
devolved  on  Captain  James  Miller,  of  the  Second  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,   by  the   death   of  its  chief,  the  brave   and  lamented 
Twiggs   of  the   Marine  Corps,  who  fell  on  the  first  advance  at 
the  head  of  his  command. 

"Captain  Roberts  of  the  rifle  regiment,  who  had  led  the 
advance  company  of  the  storming  party  at  Chapultepec,  and 
had  greatly  distinguished  himself  during  the  preceding  day, 
was  detailed  by  me  to  plant  the  star-spangled  banner  of  our 
country  upon  the  National  Palace.     The  flag,  the  first  strange 


Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scotfs  Army.       1 09 

banner  which  had  ever  waved  over  that  palace  since  the  con- 
quest of  Cortez,  was  displayed  and  saluted  with  enthusiasm  by 
the  whole  command.  The  palace,  already  crowded  with  Mexi- 
can thieves  and  robbers,  was  placed  in  charge  of  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Watson,  with  his  battalion  of  Marines.  By  his  active 
exertions,  it  was  soon  cleared  and  guarded  from  further  spolia- 
tion." Adjutant  Baker  is  mentioned  by  the  general  "  as  con- 
spicuous for  his  bravery  and  efficiency." 

Lieutenant  Robert  C.  Caldwell  was  attached  to  the  division 
of  Major-general  Pillow  as  senior  officer  of  the  commissary 
department. 

During  the  siege  of  Puebla,  begun  on  the  13th  of  September, 
and  ended  on  the  12th  of  October,  1847,  Sergeant  J.  T.  Packet 
and  Private  John  Harder  of  the  Corps  were  wounded.  A 
second  battalion  of  Marines,  under  the  command  of  Major 
John  Harris,  sailed  from  New  York  in  March,  1848,  to  co- 
operate on  shore  with  the  squadron,  on  the  Isthmus  of  Tehaun- 
tepec.  Upon  their  arrival,  however,  at  Vera  Cruz,  the  armistice 
had  been  concluded,  and  they  were  prevented  from  proceeding, 
there.  Major  Harris,  therefore,  was  ordered  to  garrison  Alva- 
rado  with  his  battalion.  The  best  of  discipline  was  observed, 
and  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  was  the  theme  of  con- 
stant praise.  The  following  is  a  roster  of  the  battalion  under 
the  command  of  Major  John  Harris  :  John  Harris,  Major,  Com-  • 
manding  ;  Algernon  S.  Taylor,  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  ; 
W.  L.  Shuttleworth,  First  Lieutenant  and  Assistant  Quarter- 
master. 

Company  A,  ninety  men:  N.  S.  Waldr on,  Captain ;  J.  R.  F.  Tatnall,  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. 

Company  B,  ninety  men  :  Josiah  Watson,  First  Lieutenant,  Commanding  ; 
George  R.  Graham,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Company  C,  ninety  men :  James  H.  Jones,  Second  Lieutenant,  Command- 
ing ;  John  H.  Broome,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Company  D,  ninety  men :  George  F.  Lindsay,  Second  Lieutenant,  Com- 
manding ;  Second  Lieutenant,    W.  S.  Boyd. 

Two  drummers  and  two  fifers. 


i  io         Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scotfs  Army. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  officers  of  the  Corps 
now  living  who  distinguished  themselves  during  the  Mexican 
War,  adding  lustre  to  its  proud  record  :  Brigadier  General  J. 
Zeilin,  Commandant,  Colonel  M.  R.  Kintzing,  Major  W.  B. 
Slack,  Quartermaster,  Major  A.  S.  Nicholson,  Adjutant  and 
Inspector;  Major  John  C.  Cash,  Paymaster,  Lieutenant-colonel 
James  H.  Jones,  Lieutenant-colonel  C.  G.  McCawley,  Major  T. 
Y.  Field,  Major  George  R.  Graham,  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel 
John  L.  Broome,  Captain  W.  A.  T.  Maddox,  Assistant  Quarter- 
master, and  Captain  James  Wiley,  Assistant  Quartermaster. 

In  July,  1847,  tne  Corps  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss 
of  the  gallant  Captain  Alvin  Edson,  who  had  so  greatly  dis- 
tinguished himself.  He  died  at  sea  on  board  the  Raritan,  15th 
July,  1847.  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Samuel  E.  Watson  also 
died  on  the  16th  of  November,  1847,  at  Vera  Cruz.  The 
following  is  a  recapitulation  of  the  services  performed  by  some 
of  the  more  prominent  Marine  officers  during  the  Mexican  War. 

First  Lieutenant  J.  Zeilin  :  defence  of  Monterey,  Upper 
California,  July  15,  1846  ;  capture  of  Los  Angeles,  August  13, 
1846  •  action  on  the  La  Mesa,  January  13,  1847  >  commissioned 
captain  September  14,  1847  ;  brevetted  major  for  gallantry  in 
action  at  the  crossing  of  San  Gabriel  River,  1847  j  appointed 
military  commander  of  San  Diego ;  bombardment  of  Guaymas, 
September  20,  1847  \  fight  at  St.  Joseph's,  September  30,  1847  ; 
occupation  of  Mazatlan,  October,  1847. 

Second  Lieutenant  W.  B.  Slack :  capture  of  Tuspau,  com- 
manded a  company  of  Marines,  serving  with  the  Third  Regi- 
ment of  artillery  at  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vera  Cruz ; 
capture  of  Tobasco  ;  commanded  a  battalion  of  Marines  at  the 
battle  of  Tamulte  ;  was  military  commandant  of  Tobasco  during 
the  time  it  was  held  by  the  naval  forces  ;  brevetted  captain  for 
bravery  in  battle,  1847. 

Second  Lieutenant  A.  S.  Nicholson :  on  duty  with  the 
Army  in  Mexico  in  first  battalion  j  storming  of  Chapultepec  and 
capture  of  the  City  of  Mexico ;  brevetted  for  bravery  in  action 
September  13,  1847. 


Operations  of  the  Marines  in  General  Scotfs  Army.       1 1 1 

Second  Lieutenant  John  C.  Cash :  on  the  west  coast  of 
Mexico,  on  duty  with  the  Marines  at  Monterey  and  San  Fran- 
cisco, in  1847. 

Lieutenant  W.  A.  T.  Maddox :  landed  at  Monterey,  July 
4,  1846,  when  the  American  flag  was  hoisted  ;  hoisted  the 
American  flag  at  San  Diego,  July  29,  1846  ;  landed  on  the  15th 
August  at  San  Pedro,  with  a  guard  of  Marines,  and  marched 
from  there  on  foot  to  the  Puebla  de  Los  Angeles,  remaining 
there  three  days  j  was  appointed  by  Commodore  Stockton  to 
take  command  of  two  companies  of  volunteer  riflemen,  and  to 
proceed  to  the  north  in  pursuit  of  General  Alvarado  and  his 
command;  on  his  march  to  Monterey  (five  hundred  miles),  at 
and  near  the  mission  of  San  Louis  Obispo,  after  a  sharp 
skirmish,  made  prisoners  of  a  number  of  men  and  fifteen  officers, 
and  paroled  them  ;  among  the  latter  were  Generals  Baptiste, 
Alvarado  and  Manuel  Castro,  and  Colonel  Pero ;  arrived  at 
Monterey  September  10,  1846;  on  the  18th  of  September, 
1846,  was  appointed,  for  services  rendered,  military  commandant 
of  the  middle  district  of  California,  headquarters  at  Monterey ; 
was  relieved  of  his  command  by  a  force  of  artillery,  under  a 
complimentary  general  order  issued  by  command  of  Commodore 
W.  B.  Shubrick,  February  18,  1847  \  m  March,  1847,  landed  at 
Ersanada,  Southern  California,  and  travelled  with  a  party  of  men 
as  far  south  as  Santa  Tomassa,  and  from  there  to  Rio  Colorado, 
in  order  to  intercept  the  Mexican  force  expected  in  the  country 
by  that  route.  Brevetted  captain  for  battle  Santa  Clara,  and 
in  suppressing  an  insurrection  at  Monterey,  during  the  time  he 
was  commandant  of  the  middle  district. 

Second  Lieutenant  M.  R.  Kintzing :  wounded  at  Tobasco. 

Second  Lieutenant  C.  G.  McCawley:  first  battalion  in 
Mexico ;  in  the  storming  party  of  the  castle  of  Chapultepec  and 
capture  of  the  city  of  Mexico  ;  brevetted  first  lieutenant  for 
gallant  and  meritorious  conduct. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

1852-3.  COMMODORE   PERRY'S     EXPEDITION    TO     JAPAN. THE 

TROUBLE    AT    SHANGHAI. 

IN  1852,  when  Commodore  Matthew  C.  Perry  was  ordered  to 
the  command  of  the  naval  squadron  cruising  in  the  East 
Indies,  besides  discharging  the  ordinary  duties  of  a  com- 
mander-in-chief, he  was  empowered  to  make  a  display  of  his 
force  in  the  waters  of  Japan,  and  to  contract  with  that  govern- 
ment a  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce.  The  American  force 
anchored  in  Japanese  waters  on  the  8th  of  July  in  the  following 
year.  After  due  preparation,  Commodore  Perry,  escorted  by  a 
large  force  of  Marines  and  seamen,  landed,  to  place  in  the 
hands  of  the  proper  officials  of  the  Japanese  government  his 
papers.  The  landing  was  effected  on  the  14th  of  July,  the 
second  person  of  the  expedition  to  step  on  the  soil  of  Japan 
being  Brevet  Major  Zeilin  of  the  Marine  Corps.  One  hundred 
Marines,  one  hundred  sailors  and  two  brass  bands  formed  the 
main  portion  of  the  procession  which  marched  through  the 
streets  of  Yeddo  to  accompany  the  commodore  to  and  from  the 
reception  house.  The  bearing  of  the  Marines  attracted  the 
admiring  attention  of  even  the  stolid  infantry,  lancers  and 
archers,  who  were  drawn  up  to  receive  them  ;  and  while  the 
negotiations  were  conducted  without  violence  or  bloodshed, 
the  presence  of  these  trained  American  soldiers  conduced  in  no 
slight  degree  to  the  speedy  success  of  the  expedition,  especially 
since  the  commodore  stated  to  the  Japanese  princes  that  those 
112 


Commodore  Perry's  Expedition  to  jfapan.  113 

present  constituted  only  a  portion  of  his  force.  The  Marines 
who  formed  the  escort  and  guard  were  commanded  by  Brevet 
Major  J.  Zeilin.  The  company  officers  of  the  battalion  were 
Brevet  Captain  Tansill,  Brevet  Captain  W.  B.  Slack,  First  Lieu- 
tenant J.  H.  Jones  and  First  Lieutenant  Jacob  Read. 

1854.  —  In  February,  1854,  Commodore  Perry  once  more 
dropped  anchor  in  Japanese  waters,  his  purpose  being  to  receive 
the  answer  of  the  government  to  the  communications  which  he 
had  left  on  his  previous  visit.  On  the  8th  of  the  succeeding 
month,  the  commodore  landed  to  meet  the  Japanese  dignita- 
ries. The  following  brief  description  of  the  landing  is  from 
Perry's  Expedition :  "  The  Commodore,  on  landing,  was  re- 
ceived by  the  group  of  officers,  who,  falling  into  a  line,  followed 
him.  The  bands  now  struck  up  a  lively  tune,  and  the  Marines, 
whose  orderly  ranks  in  complete  military  appointment,  with 
their  blue  and  white  uniforms  and  glistening  bayonets,  made 
quite  a  martial  and  effective  show,  presented  arms  as  the  com- 
modore, followed  in  procession  by  his  immediate  staff,  his  fine- 
looking  sailors  and  a  number  of  his  subordinate  officers,  pro- 
ceeded up  the  shore." 

The  conferences  were  continued  for  three  weeks,  and  on  the 
31st  of  March  a  treaty  was  duly  signed,  and  despatched  imme- 
diately in  the  hands  of  Commander  Adams  to  Washington. 

The  Plymouth  was  left  at  Shanghai  during  the  second  visit  of 
the  squadron.  The  treatment  by  the  Imperialists,  of  American 
and  English  residents,  compelled  the  interference  of  the  naval 
commanders  of  both  nations.  On  the  4th  of  April  an  action 
was  brought  on  between  the  aggressors  and  the  forces  of  the 
English  and  American  ships  which  had  been  landed.  These 
forces  consisted  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  English  sailors 
and  Marines,  with  seven  English  volunteers,  and  about  sixty 
sailors  and  Marines  from  the  Plymouth,  with  thirty  men  from  the 
American  merchant  ships.  The  Chinese  retreated  in  great  dis- 
order, leaving  a  number  of  dead  and  wounded.  The  Americans 
had  two  men  killed  and  four  wounded ;  the  English  suffered  to 
about  the  same  extent. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

1854-6. — AN  OFFICIAL  OPINION.  —  THE  BARRIER  FORTS  IN  CHINA. 
INDIAN    WAR    IN    WASHINGTON   TERRITORY,    ETC. 

THE  Hon.  J.  C.  Dobbin,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  in  his  report 
for  1854,  said:  "The  Marine  Corps  constitutes  a  most  in- 
teresting, important,  and  useful  portion  of  the  naval  force. 
Their  service  is  equally  effective  on  land  and  on  sea.  They  are 
an  armed  and  disciplined  police  on  shipboard.  Well  trained 
and  drilled  before  being  detailed  for  duty  at  sea,  aware  of  the 
fact  that  they  are  set  apart  to  sustain  the  officers  in  command  in 
the  preservation  of  order  and  the  suppression  of  mutiny,  the 
first  symptom  of  insubordination  finds  them  ready,  with  strong 
hand  and  burnished  arms,  at  the  drum  tap,  to  put  down  disorder 
or  disobedience.  Recent  occurrences  at  sea,  painfully  fresh  in 
the  recollection  of  all,  impress  the  mind  most  vividly  of  the  prac- 
tical value  of  such  a  body  of  men  on  shipboard  in  moments  of 
peril  and  alarm,  when  mere  panic  arid  disorder  are  so  often  un- 
necessarily fruitful  of  desolation  and  death.  But  on  land  also 
their  services  have  ever  been  found  efficient,  either  in  the  Navy 
Yards  or  on  shore  far  from  their  country.  This  Corps  accom- 
pany our  men-of-war  in  all  their  cruises  in  times  of  peace  and 
war,  and  have  signalized  their  valor  in  many  a  field.  Their 
number  now  is  entirely  too  small,  and  I  earnestly  recommend 
an  increase,  by  which  more  time  would  be  allowed  for  their 
proper  discipline  and  drilling  before  they  are  ordered  to  sea, 
and  their  efficiency  rendered  still  more  reliable.  I  am  satisfied 
114 

/ 


The  Barrier  Forts  in  China.  115 

also  that  the  Corps  could  be  improved  and  elevated  in  character, 
by  adopting  some  system  of  appointing  officers  of  military  edu- 
cation and  training. 

1856.  —  The  sloop-of-war  Decatur,  Commander  Gansevoort, 
was  stationed  off  the  town  of  Seattle,  Washington  Territory,  for 
the  purpose  of  protecting  the  inhabitants  from  the  savages.  On 
the  morning  of  the  26th  of  January,  1856,  Commander  Ganse- 
voort being  satisfied  that  the  Indians  were  posted  in  large 
force  in  the  woods  surrounding  the  town,  landed  the  crew  and 
Marines  of  the  ship  in  four  divisions,  with  a  howitzer  to  protect 
the  inhabitants.  The  action  was  promptly  opened  by  a  shot 
from  the  howitzer,  and  a  shell  from  the  ship's  battery.  The 
Indians  returned  the  fire  with  spirit,  from  the  edge  of  the 
woods.  A  steady  fire  of  small  arms,  shot  and  shell  for  half  an 
hour  drove  them  from  their  first  position  to  the  northward  of 
the  town,  whence  they  renewed  the  attack,  and  maintained 
it  with  bravery  for  six  hours.  They  finally  retired  in  the  night. 
They  numbered  several  hundreds,  and  suffered  severely. 

The  steam  frigate  San  Jacinto,  Commander  Henry  H. 
Bell,  and  the  sloops-of-war  Portsmouth,  Commander  Foote,  and 
Levant,  Commander  William  Smith,  constituted  the  East  India 
squadron,  under  Flag-officer  James  Armstrong.  The  duties  of 
this  squadron  were  arduous,  and  the  officers  and  men  attached 
to  it  distinguished  themselves  on  a  memorable  occasion.  On 
the  15th  of  November,  1856,  as  one  of  the  boats  belonging  to 
the  squadron  was  passing  up  the  river  to  Canton  with  the  Amer- 
ican flag  fully  displayed,  it  was  several  times  fired  upon  by  the 
barrier  forts,  endangering  the  lives  of  all  on  board.  This  out- 
rage was  promptly  resisted  and  redressed  by  the  capture  and 
destruction  of  the  forts,  and  the  levelling  of  their  walls  to  the 
ground.  These  forts,  four  in  number,  commanding  the  approach 
to  Canton,  were  among  the  strongest  defences  of  the  empire, 
mounting  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  guns.  The  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  wrote  as  follows  of  the  affair  :  "  The  prompt  and  de- 
cisive course  pursued  by  Commodore  Armstrong,  his   officers 


n6  Indian  War  i?i  Washington  Territory. 

and  men,  caused  the  flag  of  the  United  States  to  be  respected 
by  the  Chinese,  contributed  largely  to  the  security  of  our  citizens 
in  China,  and,  during  the  troubles  which  followed,  was  probably 
the  means  of  saving  many  lives  and  much  property."  The  fol- 
lowing officers  of  the  Corps  were  in  this  engagement,  and  in 
the  assault  upon  the  forts:  Brevet  Captain  John  D.  Simms, 
commanding  Marines  of  the  San  Jacinto,  Second  Lieutenant 
William  A.  Kirkland,  commanding  Marines  of  the  Portsmouth, 
and  Second  Lieutenant  Henry  B.  Tyler,  Jr.,  commanding  Ma- 
rines of  the  Levant. 

During  a  portion  of  this  and  the  following  years,  the  efforts 
to  subdue  the  warlike  and  barbarous  Indians  at  Puget  Sound 
called  into  requisition  the  services  of  the  Marines  connected 
with  the  naval  force  in  those  waters.  Brevet  Major  Philip  R. 
Fendall,  now  commanding  the  post  at  Portsmouth,  at  that  time 
holding  a  clerk's  position  under  Captain  Swartwout,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  naval  force,  volunteered  his  services  for  active 
work,  in  connection  with  the  fighting,  to  subdue  the  savages. 
Lieutenant  Jonathan  Young  not  only  accepted  the  offer,  but, 
being  told  that  Mr.  Fendall  was  well  acquainted  with  tactics 
and  manoeuvres,  in  the  absence  of  any  commissioned  Marine 
officer,  placed  him  in  command  of  the  Marines.  In  speaking 
of  the  matter,  Captain  Young  says  of  Mr.  Fendall :  "  He 
proved  to  be  an  excellent  officer,  keeping  his  men  well  up 
in  their  drill  and  discipline,  setting  a  good  example  to  the 
seamen,  and  creating  among  them  a  spirit  of  emulation  which 
proved  highly  beneficial  to  the  command." 

In  the  fight  at  Port  Gamble  with  Northern  Russian  Indians, 
who  had  committed  depredations  about  the  sound,  Mr.  Fendall 
behaved  with  marked  courage  and  coolness.  He  was  one  of 
two  volunteers  called  to  proceed  to  an  exposed  position  on  the 
beach,  and  destroy  the  only  remaining  war  canoe  belonging 
to  these  Indians,  in  order  to  make  their  escape  impossible  dur- 
ing the  coming  night,  and  insure  their  capture.  The  Indians  had 
been  driven  from  the  beach  to  the  woods  skirting  it,  and  had 


Indian  War  in  Washington  Territory.  117 

concentrated  near  this  canoe,  to  prevent,  if  possible,  its  destruc- 
tion. This  forlorn  hope  traversed  the  beach  about  twenty  yards, 
and  destroyed  the  canoe  with  axes  under  a  terrible  fire.  Mr.  Fen- 
dall's  companion  fell  dead,  axe  in  hand,  shot  through  the  head. 
Mr.  Fendall  reached  the  main  body  with  his  clothes  pierced  in 
several  places,  but  with  no  injury  to  himself.  Mr.  Fendall  was 
subsequently  appointed  a  permanent  officer  of  the  Corps,  and 
by  successive  promotions  was  finally  placed  in  the  important 
position  which  he  now  holds. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

^57  • — THE     FAMOUS    WASHINGTON     RIOT     QUELLED      BY      THE 

MARINES. 

THE  following  description  of  the  famous  riot  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  June  i,  1857,  is  borrowed  from  the  Washing- 
ton Star :  "  A  gang  of  hired  roughs  and  bullies,  '  Plug  Uglies,' 
and  other  worthies,  arrived  from  Baltimore,  having  been  im- 
ported by  the  '  Know  Nothings '  to  take  full  possession  of  the 
polls,  and,  armed  with  revolvers,  billies  and  slung-shots,  to  pre- 
vent our  own  citizens  from  depositing  their  votes.  #  #  #  At 
the  first  precinct  of  the  fourth  ward,  the  officers  did  all  in  their 
power  to  prevent  a  riot,  placing  themselves  between  the  bellig- 
erents and  the  voters  in  the  line,  with  Captain  Goddard  at  the 
head,  who  demanded  peace,  when  they  rushed  on  en  masse, 
with  an  impetuosity  which  nothing  short  of  military  force  could 
have  withstood ;  and,  although  the  police  fought  like  heroes,  they 
were  forced  to  abandon  the  field  to  the  possession  of  these 
hired  miscreants.  Such  an  exhibition  of  murderous  instruments 
as  the  party  carried  was  sufficient  to  cause  the  peaceably  dis- 
posed to  keep  as  far  as  possible  from  them.  One  man  was 
armed  with  a  huge  blacksmith  sledge,  another  with  a  horse- 
pistol,  a  third  carried  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  revolvers, 
bowie-knives,  billies,  and  an  iron  bar,  while  a  fourth  carried, 
besides  a  sack  filled  with  stones,  brickbats,  etc.,  a  large  maul 
of  sufficient  strength  to  fell  an  ox.  The  parties  brandished 
them  about  in  a  menacing  manner,  to  the  terror  of  all  those 
118 


The  Fa?7ious  Washington  Riot  Quelled  by  the  Marines.      119 

who  were  not  like  themselves  participants  in  these  disgraceful 
scenes. 

"  Mayor  Magruder  accordingly  sent  a  despatch  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  asking  that  a  company  of  Marines 
should  be  ordered  out  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  the  peace. 
*  *  *  At  one  o'clock  a  crowd  of  men  and  boys  passed  up 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  from  the  direction  of  the  fifth  ward, 
dragging  after  them  a  small  brass  cannon.  Immediately  after, 
two  companies  of  United  States  Marines,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Tyler,  went  up  to  the  City  Hall  and  reported  their  services 
to  the  Mayor. 

"The  battalion  was  under  command  of  Captain  Tyler,  with 
Lieutenant  Henderson,  adjutant.  The  first  company  was  com- 
manded by  Brevet  Major  Zeilin,  the  second  by  Captain  Maddox 
and  Lieutenant  Turner.  They  formed  in  line  and  marched 
toward  the  City  Hall,  the  crowd  of  rioters  hooting,  yelling, 
threatening  and  insulting  them  at  every  step.  They  were  passed 
in  their  way  up  by  a  crowd  of  Plug  Uglies  and  others  who  were 
hauling  the  brass  cannon,  and  threatening  that  none  of  the 
Marines  should  return  to  the  Navy  Vard  alive.  Arrived  at  the 
City  Hall,  Captain  Tyler  reported  services  to  the  Mayor.  The 
Marines  then  moved  to  the  scene  of  action,  subjected  all  the 
while  to  the  most  abusive  and  insulting  epithets  from  the  law- 
less gang  who  followed.  When  they  arrived  opposite  the  polls, 
which  had  been  closed  for  some  time,  they  halted  in  the  middle 
of  the  street  and  ordered  arms. 

"  The  cannon  was  hauled  out,  and  a  large  crowd  of  rioters 
surrounded  it,  while  a  delegation  was  sent  to  inform  the  com- 
manding officer  that  unless  the  Marines  were  instantly  with- 
drawn the  piece  would  be  discharged  into  their  ranks.  Captain 
Tyler,  upon  receiving  this  threatening  message,  gave  the  order 
to  move  toward  the  gun,  and,  when  the  right  of  the  line  was 
nearly  opposite  it,  General  Henderson  deliberately  went  up  to 
the  piece  and  placed  his  body  against  the  muzzle,  thereby  pre- 
venting it  from  being  aimed  at  the  Marines,  just  at  the  moment 


120      The  Famous  Washington  Riot  Quelled  by  the  Marines. 

it  was  about  to  be  discharged.  The  general  was  dressed  in 
citizen's  clothes,  and  armed  with  nothing  more  terrible  than  a 
cotton  umbrella. 

"  He  addressed  the  rioters,  saying :  '  Men,  you  had  best  think 
twice  before  you  fire  this  piece  at  the  Marines.'  He  informed 
the  crowd  that  the  pieces  were  loaded  with  ball  cartridge,  and 
warned  them  repeatedly  •  warned  the  citizens  to  go  away  from 
the  spot.  The  general,  finding  that  the  piece  would  be  fired 
unless  captured  instantly,  crossed  over  to  Captain  Tyler  and 
gave  the  order  for  ten  or  fifteen  of  the  Marines  to  take  it. 
During  this  time  a  number  of  pistol  shots  were  fired  at  General 
Henderson,  some  of  the  parties  standing  within  a  few  feet  of 
him  when  firing.  One  platoon  of  Marines  charged  the  piece  on 
the  run.  Those  in  charge  of  the  piece  instantly  retreated,  and 
a  dozen  or  more  revolvers  were  discharged  at  the  platoon,  who 
had  laid  hold  of  the  gun  and  were  taking  it  away.  A  sortie 
was  made  by  the  mob  to  recapture  the  piece,  when  Lieutenant 
Henderson  ran  up  and  hauled  it  across  the  street  to  the  rear  of 
the  Marines. 

"  A  man  ran  up  to  the  general  within  two  feet  of  his  person, 
and  was  about  to  discharge  his  pistol,  when  a  Marine  with  his 
musket  struck  his  arm,  causing  the  weapon  to  fall  ;  at  the  same 
time  the  general  seized  the  villain  and  marched  him  off  to  the 
Mayor,  into  whose  hands  he  placed  him.  The  pistol  shots  now 
rattled  around  like  hailstones,  and  the  officers  had  great  diffi- 
culty in  restraining  their  men  from  returning  the  fire.  General 
Henderson  and  all  the  officers  were  constantly  admonishing  the 
men  not  to  fire  until  the  order  was  given,  but  a  shot  coming 
from  the  crowd  struck  a  Marine  in  the  cheek,  making  a  dread- 
ful wound,  and  several  more  being  hit  with  balls  and  stones, 
the  soldiers  could  stand  it  no  longer  j  they  poured  in  an  answer- 
ing fire,  which  was  stopped  as  soon  as  possible  by  the  officers. 

"  The  two  companies  now  formed  and  remained  standing  for 
some  time.  Several  shots  were  fired  from  a  distance,  by  one  of 
which  a  Marine  was  hit  in  the  shoulder.     The  battalion  made  a 


The  Famous  Washington  Riot  Quelled  by  the  Marines.      121 

movement  as  if  to  pour  in  another  fire,  which  the  rioters  seeing, 
took  to  their  heels  and  fled.  The  force  was  finally  drawn  off 
to  the  City  Hall,  where  they  remained  for  some  time  ;  and  then 
proceeded  to  the  railroad  depot,  to  intercept,  if  possible,  any 
more  of  the  murderous  gang  arriving  from  Baltimore.  It  is  a 
fact  worthy  of  notice,  that  of  all  the  Marines  who  were  called 
out,  sixty  were  raw  recruits  and  had  not  been  under  drill  three 
days." 

In  a  private  letter  to  Captain  Collum,  Captain  Maddox  thus 
explains  the  fact  that  the  Marines  fired  without  orders  :  "  The 
Mayor,  at  the  time  one  of  my  men  was  shot  in  the  face,  called 
out,  'Why  don't  you  fire? '  The  word  'fire  '  was  the  only  word 
which  appeared  to  have  reached  the  ears  of  the  men,  and  they 
acted  at  once." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

1858. FIGHT   WITH   SAVAGES.  —  PEACEFUL   MISSIONS. 

AT  Waya,  one  of  the  Feejee  Islands,  during  the  year  1858,. 
two  American  citizens,  engaged  in  trading  with  that  island, 
were  murdered  by  the  natives.  Commander  Sinclair  of  the 
Vandalia  made  a  demand  for  the  perpetrators  of  the  outrage 
and  was  answered  with  defiance.  An  expedition  was  immedi- 
ately despatched,  under  Lieutenant  Caldwell,  to  assault  and  de- 
stroy the  principal  village  on  the  island.  Lieutenant  Caldwell 
had  with  him,  among  other  officers,  Lieutenant  Ramsay  of  the 
Marines.  The  force  consisted  of  forty  Marines  and  seamen. 
A  fierce  conflict  ensued  between  them  and  about  three  hundred 
native  warriors,  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  latter.  The 
Hon.  Isaac  Toucey,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  said  of  the  affair : 
"  The  gallantry,  coolness,  and  bravery  displayed  by  officers  and 
men  was  in  the  highest  degree  commendable." 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year,  Flag-officer  Forrest  of  the 
Brazil  squadron  landed  a  detachment  of  Marines  at  Montevideo. 
When  he  arrived  there  a  portion  of  the  people  had  taken  up 
arms  and  were  advancing  to  the  capital.  The  government  ap- 
plied to  the  foreign  agents  to  land  an  armed  force  to  protect  the 
lives  and  property  of  the  foreign  residents.  A  sufficient  force 
was  therefore  landed  from  the  vessels  present,  and  Flag-officer 
Forrest  selected  to  command  it.  A  strict  neutrality  was  ob- 
served. The  detachments  returned  to  their  respective  ships  in 
about  ten  days,  without  coming  into  collision  with  the  revolu- 
122 


Fight  with  Savages,  123 

tionists,  they  having  capitulated  on  their  approach  to  the  capi- 
tal. The  Marines  were  commanded  by  Captain  and  Brevet 
Major  J.  G.  Reynolds,  assisted  by  Lieutenants  Alexander  W. 
Starke  and  C.  D.  Hebb,  from  the  Flag-ship  St.  Lawrence  and 
Sloop  Falmouth. 

During  the  same  year,  Paraguay  having  given  our  government 
various  causes  of  offence,  and  refusing  to  make  reparation,  a 
strong  naval  force,  under  the  command  of  Captain  W.  C.  Shu- 
brick,  was  sent  out  to  that  country  toward  the  close  of  the  year. 
A  commissioner  accompanied  the  fleet,  to  settle  the  difficulty,  if 
possible,  without  recourse  to  violence ;  and  he  succeeded  in  so 
doing.  The  vessels  composing  the  expedition  had  the  usual 
complement  of  Marines.  The  following  officers  of  the  Corps  were 
attached  to  the  squadron :  Captain  Robert  Tansill,  Captain 
and  Brevet  Major  J.  G.  Reynolds,  First  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Hen- 
derson, Second  Lieutenants  T.  S.  Wilson,  A.  W.  Starke,  C.  D. 
Hebb,  H.  L.  Ingraham,  and  J.  Schermerhorn. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1858-9. — SERVICES    ON    STATEN    TSLAND.  —  CAPTURE     OF     JOHN 
BROWN. 

IN  the  latter  part  of  August,  1858,  a  portion  of  the  quarantine 
buildings  on  Staten  Island,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  were 
used  for  the  reception  of  quite  a  number  of  yellow  fever  patients 
from  merchant-vessels.  Some  of  the  citizens  of  the  Island  be- 
lieving this  to  be  an  improper  place  to  treat  patients  of  this 
class,  and  fearing  the  disease  would  be  disseminated  through- 
out the  Island  if  the  State  persisted  in  using  the  buildings  for 
permanent  pest-houses,  determined  to  destroy  them.  On  the 
night  of  the  1st  of  September,  a  large  and  well  organized  mob 
burned  a  portion  of  these  buildings.  The  stores  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, lately  arrived  from  Greytown  with  fever  on  board,  had 
been  landed  and  deposited  within  the  buildings,  but  this  part 
had  not  been  destroyed  by  the  rioters.  On  the  2nd,  however, 
the  authorities  were  informed  it  was  the  intention  of  the  mal- 
contents to  burn  this  also.  Acting  upon  this  information,  a  de- 
tachment of  sixty-five  Marines  from  the  barracks  and  the  United 
States  Frigate  Sabine,  under  trie  command  of  Captain  Jabez  C. 
Rich  and  Second  Lieutenant  Charles  Heywood,  were  ordered  to 
occupy  the  government  buildings,  and  to  protect  them  at  all 
hazards.  On  the  second  day  after  the  occupation  by  the  Ma- 
rines, Captain  Rich  was  relieved,  the  command  devolving  upon 
Lieutenant  Heywood.  The  place  was  held  one  week,  and  dur- 
ing that  time  the  rioters  made  several  attempts  to  enter  the  en- 
124 


Services  on  Staten  Island.  125 

closure  surrounding  the  government  building,  but  finding  it  so 
well  protected,  thought  it  prudent  to  retire,  although  they  were 
well  supplied  with  battering-rams  and  fully  armed. 

1859.  — The  following  despatch  was  received  at  Washington, 
from  Harper's  Ferry,  October  17,  1859  :  "  There  is  an  insurrection 
at  Harper's  Ferry.  A  band  of  abolitionists  took  full  possession 
of  the  United  States  Arsenal.  The  express  train  was  fired  into 
twice,  and  one  of  the  railroad  hands  killed."  As  soon  as  possi- 
ble, Colonel  R.  E.  Lee  of  the  United  States  Army,  with  the 
United  States  Marines  and  volunteers,  was  upon  the  scene.  He 
sent  his  aid  to  parley  with  Brown,  who  was  barricaded  in  a  build- 
ing, assuring  him  that  if  he  would  surrender,  his  life  and  the 
lives  of  his  men  would  be  protected  against  the  infuriated  in- 
habitants by  whom  the  building  was  surrounded,  until  the  Presi- 
dent's decision  in  their  case  could  be  learned.  At  eleven  a.  m. 
the  War  Department  received  a  despatch  from  Colonel  Lee  an- 
nouncing that  shortly  after  seven  a.  m.  the  Marines  under 
Lieutenant  Greene  had  carried  the  barricaded  building  by  as- 
sault, in  which  one  Marine  was  mortally  and  another  slightly 
wounded,  killing  two  of  the  "  insurrectionists "  and  mortally 
wounding  another.  As  soon  as  the  Marines  entered  through 
the  battered  door-way  all  resistance  ceased. 

Before  the  arrival  of  the  Marines  a  large  force  of  militia  and 
volunteers  from  Sheperdstown,  Frederick  and  Jefferson  counties, 
and  Frederick  and  Baltimore  cities,  had  been  held  in  check,  by 
John  Brown  and  his  band  after  they  had  been  driven  into  the 
engine  house.  Upon  receipt  of  the  intelligence  in  Washington 
that  there  was  an  insurrection  at  Harper's  Ferry,  the  President 
issued  orders  to  Colonel  Harris  of  the  Marine  Corps  to  despatch 
all  the  available  force  of  the  barracks,  per  special  train,  to  the 
scene  of  the  difficulties.  In  one  hour  from  the  receipt  of  the 
order,  a  detachment  of  Marines  under  Lieutenant  Israel  Greene 
arrived  at  the  railroad  depot.  The  detachment  consisted  of 
eighty-one  privates,  eleven  sergeants,  thirteen  corporals  and 
one  bugler.     They  took  with  them  seven  guns,  Dahlgren  howit- 


126  Capture  of  John  Brown. 

zers,  from  the  Navy  Yard,  and  four  from  the  barracks,  three 
hundred  shells  and  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition ;  also  ample 
supplies  for  several  days'  service.  The  Marines  were  received 
by  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  Navy,  who  handed  to  Lieutenant 
Greene  his  instructions  as  to  his  course  of  action  when  he  should 
arrive  at  the  spot.  Major  Russel  of  the  staff  accompanied  the 
Marines,  under  instructions  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  but 
not  to  command  the  force. 

Upon  their  arrival  at  Harper's  Ferry,  no  time  was  wasted  in 
getting  ready  for  the  assault  on  the  barricaded  engine  house. 
Upon  the  insurgents  refusing  to  surrender  to  the  force  outside, 
preparations  were  immediately  made,  and  a  long  ladder  borne  by 
ten  Marines,  and  used  as  a  battering-ram,  soon  smashed  in  the 
door,  and  the  fight  was  at  an  end.  None  of  the  troops  were 
brought  into  the  charge,  but  the  Marines  did  the  work. 
The  inhabitants  were  in  the  greatest  consternation  when  the 
Marines  left,  fearing  another  attack,  and  the  wildest  and  most 
nonsensical  rumors  were  conveyed  to  the  officers  of  assaults 
upon  families  living  in  the  vicinity.  The  Marines  were  thus 
constantly  occupied  on  duty,  and  numerous  scouting  parties  were 
sent  into  the  country  in  all  directions.  Fifteen  hundred  pikes 
were  captured  during  these  excursions.  The  whole  of  the  fight 
was  done  by  a  squad  of  eight  Marines  from  the  right  of  the 
line,  most  of  them  veterans  in  the  service,  who  carried  the  en- 
gine house  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

i860.  —  THE   PANAMA     INSURRECTION. — ACTION   ON    THE    WEST 
COAST   OF   AFRICA. 

THE  St.  Mary's  was  stationed  on  the  western  coast  of 
Mexico  from  October,  1859,  unti\  ordered  to  Panama, 
where  she  arrived  in  July,  i860.  At  the  insurrection  in  the 
vicinity  of  Panama,  which  occurred  September  27th,  a  brisk 
fire  was  opened  from  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  killing  six  and 
wounding  three  of  the  white  inhabitants.  Commander  Porter 
immediately  went  on  shore,  consulted  the  American  Consul, 
and  at  the  request  of  the  military  intendante,  and  of  the  agent 
of  the  railroad,  landed  a  body  of  Marines  and  sailors  and  a 
field  piece,  and  took  possession  of  the  railroad  station.  On 
the  28th,  the  Governor  delivered  up  the  city  to  the  joint  occu- 
pancy of  the  forces  from  the  St.  Mary's  and  the  British  ship 
Clio.  Tranquillity  having  been  restored,  the  detachment  on  the 
7th  of  October  was  withdrawn.  The  Marines  of  the  St.  Mary's 
were  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Edward  McDonald 
Reynolds. 

In  March,  Commander  Brent,  commanding  the  sloop-of-war 
Marion,  was  instrumental  hi  saving  from  destruction  the  prop- 
erty of  American  residents  at  Kisembo,  on  the  west  coast  of 
Africa.  On  the  first  of  the  month  they  applied  to  him  to  send 
a  sufficient  force  on  shore  to  guard  their  factories,  apprehending 
they  would  be  destroyed  by  the  natives,  who  meditated  an  attack 
on  the  Portuguese  at  that  place.  Commander  Brent  promptly 
responded  to  the  call ;  proceeded  on  shore  with  several  officers 

127 


128  Action  on  the  West  Coast  of  Panama. 

of  the  Marion  and  forty  sailors  and  Marines ;  established  a  guard 
at  the  factories,  maintained  it  until  the  next  morning,  and  then 
returned  to  the  ship.  On  the  3rd,  a  signal  was  made  from  the 
shore  for  assistance,  and  Commander  Brent  immediately  landed 
a  force  of  fifty  sailors  and  Marines,  with  a  howitzer  and  small 
arms.  During  the  day  the  Portuguese  and  natives  were  en- 
gaged in  conflict,  and  several  attempts  were  made  by  the  natives 
to  approach  the  factories  to  fire  them,  but  were  thwarted  by  the 
guard  under  Commander  Brent.  The  next  morning  the  detach- 
ment returned  to  the  ship,  as  no  further  danger  was  appre- 
hended. Commander  Brent  observed  a  strict  neutrality 
throughout,  his  only  object  being  the  protection  of  American 
citizens.  The  Marines  on  board  the  Marion  were  under  the 
command  of  a  sergeant. 

The  strength  of  the  Corps  at  this  time  comprised  one  colo- 
nel-commandant, one  major  and  quartermaster,  one  major,  ad- 
jutant and  inspector,  one  major  and  paymaster,  one  captain 
and  assistant-quartermaster,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  four  majors, 
thirteen  captains,  twenty  first  lieutenants,  twenty  second  lieuten- 
ants, and  sixteen  hundred  and  twelve  non-commissioned  officers, 
musicians  and  privates. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

FROM   JANUARY     TO     JULY,     l86l. SERVICES     OF    THE    MARINES 

IN   THE    FIRST   PART   OF    THE    CIVIL    WAR. 

THE  Civil  War  again  called  into  requisition  the  services  of 
the  Marines.  Being  well  armed  and  disciplined,  their 
services  were  invaluable,  especially  during  the  time  that  neces- 
sarily elapsed  before  the  ■  newly  enlisted  militia  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  practical  duties  of  camp  and  field.  The  first 
duty  to  which  they  were  called  was  on  the  7th  of  January,  when 
steamship  Star  of  the  West  left  New  York  with  two  hundred  and 
fifty  artillerists  and  Marines  during  the  night  to  re-enforce  Fort 
Sumter.  The  expedition  failed,  and  on  January  12th  the  Star  of 
the  West  arrived  at  New  York,  without  landing  her  troops  at 
Sumter.  The  captain  reported  that  unexpected  obstacles  in  the 
removal  of  the  buoys,  lights  and  ranges,  which,  though  he  arrived 
in  the  night,  compelled  him  to  wait  till  daybreak  outside  the  har- 
bor, rendered  a  successful  entrance  impossible.  During  the  same 
month,  a  detachment  of  Marines,  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant C.  D.  Hebb,  garrisoned  Fort  Washington,  on  the  Poto- 
mac, fourteen  miles  south  of  Washington  City.  On  the  22nd  of 
January  the  entire  force  at  the  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard  was  put 
under  arms,  and  held  in  readiness  to  act  immediately,  because  of 
some  apprehension  of  an  attack  by  an  organized  force  of  per- 
sons in  sympathy  with  the  Confederates. 

On  the  1 2th  of  April,  the  Marines  bore  a  most  honorable 
part  in  the  expedition  under  Captain  H.  A.  Adams,  for  the 
re-enforcing  of  Fort  Pickens.   The  Marines  of  the  squadron  were 

129 


130  Services  in  the  First  Part  of  the  Civil  War. 

under  Lieutenant  Cash.  When  the  re-enforcement  was  complete, 
the  Marines  remained  in  the  fort  at  the  request  of  Captain 
Vogdes.  The  whole  expedition  was  under  the  charge  of  Com- 
mander Charles  H.  Poor,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Smith,  of  the 
Brooklyn,  Lieutenants  Lewis  and  Newman,  of  the  Sabine,  and 
Lieutenant  Belknap,  of  the  St.  Louis  ;  and  it  is  highly  creditable 
to  these  officers  that  this  service  was  performed  without  acci- 
dent or  disorder  under  unfavorable  circumstances.  The  conduct 
of  Lieutenant  Cash  and  the  Marines  under  his  command 
thus  handsomely  acknowledged  by  Colonel  Brown :  "  The  ser- 
vices of  the  Marines  being  no  longer  indispensably  necessary, 
they  are  relieved  from  duty  at  this  post.  The  colonel  com- 
manding takes  pleasure  in  publishing  his  entire  approval  of  the 
conduct  and  his  appreciation  of  the  services  of  Lieutenant 
Cash  and  his  command,  which  have  been  of  great  value,  and 
always  cheerfully  rendered,  and  the  conduct  of  the  troops  uni- 
formly correct  and  soldierly." 

On  the  night  of  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  a  body  of 
Marines  assisted  indestroying  the  Gosport,  Virginia,  Navy  Yard. 
About  half-past  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  Pawnee,  with 
a  force  of  Marines  under  First  Lieutenant  A.  S.  Nicholson, 
entered  Gosport  harbor.  Her  coming  was  not  unexpected, 
and  the  men  on  the  Pennsylvania  and  the  Cumberland,  several 
hundred  in  number,  greeted  her  with  a  volley  of  cheers.  All 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  were  thoroughly  aroused  by  the  arrival 
of  the  Pawnee.  They  did  not  expect  her,  and  were  not  pre- 
pared for  her.  They  were  seized  with  trepidation,  thinking, 
perhaps,  she  had  come,  along  with  the  Cumberland  and  Penn- 
sylvania, intending  to  bombard  the  town,  because  they  had  the 
night  before  rifled  the  United  States  magazine,  just  below  Nor- 
folk, of  about  four  thousand  kegs  of  powder.  Being  utterly 
defenceless,  they  made  no  protest  against  the  Pawnee's  presence, 
nor  did  they  venture  near  the  Navy  Yard.  The  commodore 
ordered  the  Marines  on  the  Pennsylvania,  the  Cumberland,  the 
Pawnee  and  in  the  Yard  to  the  work  of  destruction.     All  the 


Services  in  the  First  Part  of  the  Civil  War.  131 

books  and  papers,  the  archives  of  the  establishment,  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Pawnee.  Every  thing  of  interest  to  the  govern- 
ment to  preserve  on  the  Pennsylvania  was  transferred  to  the 
Cumberland.  On  this  latter  it  was  also  said  a  large  amount  of 
gold  from  the  Custom-house  at  Norfolk  had  been  placed.  Hav- 
ing made  safe  every  thing  that  was  to  be  carried  away,  the 
Marines  were  next  set  at  work  to  destroy  every  thing  of  value  on 
the  Pennsylvania  and  in  the  Yard.  Many  thousand  stands  of 
arms  were  destroyed.  Carbines  had  their  stocks  broken  by  a 
blow  from  the  barrels,  and  were  thrown  overboard.  A  large  lot 
of  revolvers  shared  the  like  fate.  Shot  and  shell  by  thousands 
went  with  hurried  plunges  to  the  bottom.  Most  of  the  cannon 
had  been  spiked  the  day  and  night  before.  There  were  at  least 
fifteen  hundred  pieces  in  the  yard, — some  beautiful  Dahlgren 
guns,  and  Columbiads  of  all  sizes.  A  correspondent  of  the 
New  York  Times  thus  wrote  of  the  work  that  followed  :  "  It  is 
impossible  to  describe  the  scene  of  destruction  that  was  exhib- 
ited. Unweariedly  it  was  continued  from  nine  o'clock  until 
about  twelve,  during  which  time  the  moon  gave  light  to  direct 
the  operations.  But  when  the  moon  sank  behind  the  western 
horizon,  the  barracks  near  the  centre  of  the  Yard  were  set  on 
fire,  that  by  its  illumination  the  work  might  be  continued.  The 
crackling  flames  and  the  glare  of  light  inspired  with  new  ener- 
gies the  destroying  Marines,  and  havoc  was  carried  everywhere, 
within  the  limits  of  orders.  But  time  was  not  left  to  complete 
the  work.  Four  o'clock  of  Sunday  morning  came,  and  the 
Pawnee  was  passing  down  from  Gosport  harbor  with  the  Cum- 
berland, the  coveted  prize  of  the  secessionists,  in  tow  every 
soul  from  the  other  ships  and  the  yard  being  aboard  of  them, 
save  two.  Just  as  they  left  their  moorings  a  rocket  was  sent  up 
from  the  deck  of  the  Pawnee.  It  sped  high  in  the  air,  paused 
a  second,  and  burst  in  shivers  of  many  colored  lights.  And  as 
it  did  so,  the  well-set  trains  at  the  ship-houses,  and  on  the  decks 
of  the  fated  vessels  left  behind,  went  off  as  if  lit  simultaneously 
by  the   rocket.     One   of  the  ship-houses  contained   the   New 


132  Services  in  the  First  Part  of  the  Civil  War. 

York,  a  ship  thirty  years  on  the  stocks,  and  yet  unfinished. 
The  other  was  vacant ;  but  both  houses  and  the  old  New  York 
burned  like  tinder."  The  vessels  fired  were  the  Pennsylvania, 
the  Merrimac,  the  Germantown,  the  Plymouth,  the  Raritan,  the 
Columbia,  and  the  Dolphin.  ' 

May  2.  —  Lieutenant  Collier  of  the  Marines,  attached  to 
the  Minnesota,  raised  the  flag  on  the  steeple  of  the  Old  South 
Church,  at  Boston,  Mass,  amidst  great  enthusiasm  of  the  peo- 
ple, on  the  2nd  of  May. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

JULY,  l86l. — THE   FIRST   BATTLE   OF   BULL    RUN.  —  REORGANIZA- 
TION  OF  THE   CORPS.  —  HATTERAS    INLET. 

THE  following  is  Major  John  G.  Reynolds'  report  of  the 
participation  of  the  battalion  of  Marines  in  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  dated  at  the  Marine  Barracks,  Headquarters,  Wash- 
ington, July  24,  1861,  addressed  to  Colonel  Harris,  commandant 
of  the  Corps  :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  movements  and 
operations  of  the  battalion  of  Marines  under  my  command 
detailed  to  cooperate  with  the  Army.  The  battalion  left  the 
barracks  at  headquarters  in  time  to  reach  the  Virginia  end  of 
the  Potomac,  'Long  Bridge,'  at  3  p.  m.,  July  16th,  and  proceeded 
up  the  Columbia  turnpike  until  an  officer  purporting  to  be 
assistant  adjutant-general  of  Colonel  Porter's  brigade  came  up 
and  assigned  us  position  in  the  line  of  march,  which  placed  us 
immediately  in  rear  of  Captain  Griffin's  battery  of  flying 
artillery.  This  assignment  was  continued  up  to  the  period  of  the 
battle  at  Bull  Run.  On  reaching  the  field,  and  for  some  hours 
previously,  the  battery's  accelerated  march  was  such  as  to  keep 
my  command,  more  or  less,  in  double-quick  time  ;  consequently 
the  men  became  fatigued  or  exhausted  in  strength.  Being 
obliged  at  this  period  to  halt,  in  order  to  afford  those  in  the  rear 
an  opportunity  of  closing  up  and  taking  their  proper  place  in 
the  line,  the  battery  was  lost  to  protection  from  the  force  under 
my  command.  This  I  stated  to  Colonel  Porter,  who  was  ever 
present,  watching  the  events  of  the  day.  The  position  of  the 
133  \ 


134  The  First  Battle  of  Bull  Run. 

battery  was  pointed  out,  and  I  was  directed  to  afford  the  nec- 
essary support.  In  taking  the  position,  the  battalion  was 
exposed  to  a  galling  fire.  While  holding  it,  General  McDowell 
ordered  the  battalion  to  cover  or  support  the  Fourteenth  New 
York  Regiment,  which  was  about  to  be  engaged.  The  battalion, 
in  consequence,  took  the  position  indicated  by  the  general,  but 
was  unable  to  hold  it,  owing  to  the  heavy  fire  which  was  opened 
upon  them.  They  broke  line  several  times,  but  were  as  fre- 
quently formed  and  urged  back  to  their  position,  when  finally  a 
general  rout  took  place,  in  which  the  Marines  participated. 

"  I  am  constrained  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that,  when 
taking  into  consideration  that  the  command  was  composed  en- 
tirely of  recruits,  not  one  being  in  service  over  three  weeks,  and 
many  had  hardly  learned  their  facings,  the  officers  likewise  being 
but  a  short  time  in  the  service,  their  conduct  was  such  as  to 
elicit  the  highest  commendation.  Of  the  three  hundred  and 
fifty  officers  and  enlisted  men  under  my  command,  there  were 
but  two  staff  officers,  two  captains,  one  first  lieutenant,  and 
nine  non-commissioned  officers,  and  two  musicians,  who  were 
experienced  from  length  of  service.  The  remainder  were,  of 
course,  raw  recruits,  which  being  considered,  I  am  happy  to  re- 
port the  good  conduct  of  officers  and  men.  The  officers, 
although  but  little  experienced,  were  zealous  in  their  efforts  to 
carry  out  my  orders.  In  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Hitchcock 
the  Corps  has  been  deprived  of  a  valuable  acquisition.  On  the 
field  he  was  ever  present  and  zealous.  He  sought  and  won  the 
approbation  of  his  commanding  and  brother  officers.  Enclosed 
please  find  a  return  of  the  battalion,  showing  its  present  strength, 
with  casualties,  etc.  The  abrupt  and  hasty  retreat  from  the 
field  of  battle  presents  a  deplorable  deficiency  in  both  arms  and 
equipments. 

"  The  rout  being  of  such  a  general  character,  the  men  of  all 
arms  commingled ;  the  only  alternative  left  was  to  hasten  to  the 
ground  occupied  by  the  brigade  to  which  we  were  attached  on 
the  morning  of  the  day  of  the  battle.     On  my  way  thither  I 


The  First  Battle  of  Bull  Run.  135 

had  the  good  fortune  to  fall  in  with  General  Meigs,  whose  con- 
sternation at  the  disastrous  retreat  was  pictured  on  his  counte- 
nance. He  was  of  the  opinion  the  Army  should  hasten  to 
Arlington,  fearing  otherwise  the  enemy  would  follow  up  their 
successes  and  cut  us  off  on  the  road.  My  men  being  weary  and 
much  exhausted,  without  blankets  and  other  necessaries,  I  de- 
termined to  strengthen  such  as  should  pass  the  wagons  by  hot 
coffee,  and  move  on  to  headquarters  at  Washington  City,  where 
their  wants  could  be  supplied.  But  few  came  up,  others  con- 
tinued on  the  Long  Bridge,  where,  on  my  arrival,  I  found  some 
seventy  or  more,  who,  at  my  earnest  solicitation,  were  permitted 
to  accompany  me  to  the  barracks.  In  assuming  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  return  to  headquarters,  I  trust  my  course  will  meet 
the  approbation  of  authority.  Blankets  were  thrown  aside 
by  my  order  on  entering  the  field,  which,  from  force  of  circum- 
stances, we  were  unable  afterwards  to  recover." 

The  following  interesting  scraps  are  from  the  report  of  Colonel 
Porter,  commanding  the  brigade  :  — 

"  The  Marines  were  recruits,  but  through  constant  exertions 
of  their  officers,  have  been  brought  to  present  a  fine  military 
appearance." 

"  The  Marines  were  moving  up  in  fine  style  in  rear  of  the 
Fourteenth  New  York." 

"  Griffin's  battery  found  its  way  through  the  timber  to  the 
fields  beyond,  followed  promptly  by  the  Marines." 

"  Our  right  was  rapidly  developed  by  the  Marines." 

"  Among  those  who  deserve  special  mention,  I  beg  leave  to 
place  the  following  names ;  viz.,  Major  Reynolds  of  the  Marines, 
whose  zealous  efforts  were  well  sustained  by  his  subordinates, 
two  of  whom,  Brevet  Major  Zeilin  and  Lieutenant  Hale,  were 
wounded,  and  one,  Lieutenant  Hitchcock,  lost  his  life." 

The  roster  of  the  battalion  was  as  follows :  — 

Major  John  G.  Reynolds,  Commanding. 

Major  William  B.  Slack,  Quartermaster. 

Major  Augustus  S.  Nicholson,  Adjutant  and  Inspector. 


136  Reorganization  of  the  Corps. 

Company  A  :  Brevet  Major  Jacob  Zeilin  and  Second  Lieutenants  F. 
Munroe  and  J.  H.  Grimes. 

Company  B :  Captain  James  H.  Jones  and  Second  Lieutenant  Robert 
W.  Huntingdon. 

Company  C :  First  Lieutenant  Alan  Ramsay  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Hitchcock. 

Company  D  :  Second  Lieutenants  W.  H.  Cartter  and  W.  H.  Hale. 

Non-commissioned  Staff,  two;  First  Sergeants,  four;  Second  Ser- 
geants, three ;  CoVporals,  eight ;  Musicians,  four  ;  Privates,  three  hundred 
and  twenty ;  Total,  three  hundred  and  forty-one. 


The  list  of  casualties  in  the  action  was  as  follows  :  —  Killed  : 
Second  Lieutenant  Hitchcock,  Privates  Clegg,  Harris,  Hughes, 
Lane,  Moore,  Perkins,  Riley,  Ward.  Wounded  :  Brevet  Major 
Zeilin,  Lieutenant  Hale,  Corporal  Steiner,  Privates  Stuart,  Bow- 
ers, Slemons,  Bradford,  Dodge,  Etchell,  Tiger,  Lang,  McKinney, 
McCann,  Wheelan,  McGuigan,  Howell,  Rannohan,  Cook,  Potter. 
Missing:  Privates  Barrett,  Hunt,  McChristae,  Clark,  McCoy, 
Lewis,  Beans,  Dempsey,  Kressler,  Dermott,  Otto,  Cannon,  Stan- 
ley, Duncanson,  Foley,  and  Wood.  Recapitulation:  Killed, 
one  lieutenant  and  nine  privates  ;  wounded,  one  brevet  major, 
one  lieutenant,  one  corporal,  and  sixteen  privates ;  missing, 
sixteen    privates  ;  total,  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  forty-four, 

The  necessity  for  a  better,  more  thorough  and  more  efficient 
organization  of  the  Corps  was  recognized,  and  an  act  was 
passed  by  Congress  for  that  purpose  July  25th,  providing  that 
the  Corps  should  consist  of  the  following  officers,  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  musicians  and  privates  ;  viz.,  one  colonel-com- 
mandant, one  colonel,  two  lieutenant-colonels,  four  majors,  one 
adjutant  and  inspector,  one  paymaster,  one  quartermaster,  two 
assistant  quartermasters,  twenty  captains,  thirty  first  lieutenants, 
thirty  second  lieutenants,  one  sergeant-major,  one  quartermaster- 
sergeant,  one  drum-major,  one  principal  musician,  two  hundred 
sergeants,  two  hundred  and  twenty  corporals,  thirty  musicians 
for  band,  sixty  drummers,  sixty  fifers,  and  twenty-five  hundred 
privates.     It  was  further  provided  that  the  commissions  of  the 


Hatter  as  Inlet.  137 

officers  then  in  the  Marine  Corps  should  not  be  vacated  by  the 
act  j  and  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  might,  during 
the  recess  of  the  Senate,  first  by  promotions,  and  then  by  selec- 
tions, appoint  the  officers  thereby  authorized,  which  appoint- 
ments should  be  submitted  to  the  Senate,  at  the  next  session, 
for  its  advice  and  consent.  The  appointments  of  commis- 
sioned officers,  to  be  made  under  the  provisions  of  the  act,  was 
to  be  of  persons  between  the  ages  of  twenty  and  twenty-five 
years,  and  they  were  to  be  subjected,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  to  an  examination  as  to  their  qualifica- 
tions for  the  service  to  which  they  were  to  be  appointed.  The 
act  was  approved  July  25th,  1861. 

During  the  following  month,  the  services  of  the  Marines  were 
again  brought  into  requisition  in  the  capture  of  Hatteras  Inlet, 
August  30th.  Flag-officer  Silas  H.  Stringham  left  Hampton 
Roads,  August  26th,  with  the  flag-ship  Minnesota,  Captain  G. 
I.  Van  Brunt,  having  in  company  the  United  States  steamers 
Wabash,  Captain  Samuel  Mercer,  Monticello,  Commander  John 
P.  Gillis,  Pawnee,  Commander  S.  C.  Rowan,  Harriet  Lane, 
Captain  John  Faunce,  United  States  chartered  steamers  Ade- 
laide, Commander  Henry  S.  Stellwagen,  George  Peabody,  Lieu- 
tenant R.  B.  Lowry,  and  tug  Fanny,  Lieutenant  Pierce  Crosby,  all 
of  the  United  States  Navy ;  the  transports  Adelaide  and  George 
Peabody  towing  schooners  with  surf  boats  on  them,  and  the 
Monticello  and  Pawnee,  surf  boats  only.  Major-general  Butler 
took  passage  in  the  Minnesota,  the  transports  having  parts  of 
two  regiments  and  one  company  of  regulars,  under  the  command 
of  Colonels  Max  Weber  and  Hawkins,  and  Captain  Larnard, 
United  States  Army.  On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  they 
rounded  the  shoals  off  Hatteras  ;  at  five  p.  m.  they  anchored  at 
the  southward  of  the  cape,  hoisted  out  the  surf  boats,  and  made 
preparations  for  landing  the  troops.  In  the  morning,  General 
Butler  and  the  Marines  of  the  Minnesota,  the  latter  under  the 
command  of  Captain  William  L.  Shuttleworth,  United  States 
Marine  Corps,  were  sent  to  the  Harriet  Lane.     About  noon  the 


138  Hatteras  Inlet. 

work  of  disembarking  began,  and  the  Wabash  and  Cumberland 
opened  fire  on  Fort  Clark.  The  fire  was  returned  by  the  fort. 
The  Minnesota,  Wabash  and  Cumberland  continued  their  fire, 
passing  and  re-passing  the  fort  until  it  was  abandoned  by  the 
enemy.  The  fire  was  kept  up  by  the  fort,  the  shot  falling  short 
or  passing  over  the  ships.  At  two  p.  m.  the  American  flag  was 
displayed  from  Fort  Clark  by  the  pickets,  who  were  in  posses- 
sion. A  little  later  the  signal  to  "  cease  firing"  was  made,  and 
the  squadron  hauled  off  for  the  night,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Monticello,  Pawnee,  and  Harriet  Lane,  they  being  ordered  to  go 
in  shore  and  protect  the  troops  during  the  night.  The  engage- 
ment was  resumed  the  next  morning,  and  at  11. 10  a.  m.  a  white 
flag  was  displayed  from  Fort  Hatteras.  The  enemy  returned 
the  fire  throughout  the  engagement,  but  with  no  effect,  their  shot 
falling  short.  Almost  at  the  beginning  of  the  engagement 
they  hauled  down  their  colors,  and  showed  none  until  the  white 
flag  was  displayed.  Upon  the  appearance  of  the  white  flag  the' 
troops  marched  toward  the  fort,  and,  as  if  by  preconcerted  sig- 
nal, but  without  any  order  or  request,  the  officers  and  crews  of 
the  squadron  gave  three  hearty  cheers  for  their  success.  At 
11.30  o'clock  Major-general  Butler,  in  the  tug  Fanny,  went  into 
the  inlet  to  the  rear  of  the  forts  to  take  possession.  No  accident 
to  a  single  officer  or  man  of  the  Navy,  Army,  or  Marines  was  re- 
corded. Flag-officer  Stringham  thus  concludes  his  report:  "In 
conclusion,  I  beg  leave  to  state  to  the  Department  and  to  my 
government  that  I  have  naught  but  praise  to  accord  to  officers, 
seamen  and  Marines,  and  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Army  who 
were  present,  for  gallantry  and  cheerful  devotion  to  duty  and  to 
their  government,  the  United  States  of  America,  which  they 
all  cheerfully  and  heartily  served." 

Secretary  Welles,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the  report, 
said:  "This  brilliant  achievement,  accomplished  without  the 
loss  of  a  man  or  injury  to  any  one  in  the  federal  service,  has 
carried  joy  and  gladness  to  the  bosom  of  every  friend  of  the 
Union." 


Hatteras  Inlet  *39 

The  following  officers  of  the  Marine  Corps  were  in  this  en- 
gagement :  Minnesota,  Captain  W.  L.  Shuttleworth,  Lieuten- 
ant Cartter;  Wabash,  Captain  I.  T.  Doughty;  Susquehanna, 
Lieutenant  P.  R.  Fendall  ;  Cumberland,  Lieutenant  Charles 
Heywood.  The  other  vessels,  with  the  exception  of  the  tug 
Fanny,  had  their  complement  of  Marines,  the  guard  of  each 
being  in  charge  of  a  sergeant. 

The  Marines  from  the  Minnesota,  Wabash  and  Cumberland, 
commanded  by  their  own  officers,  landed  with  the  troops,  and 
entered  Fort  Clark. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

SEPTEMBER,    1 86 1. THE   CAPTURE    OF    THE     CONFEDERATE     PRI- 
VATEER  JUDAH    OFF    PENSACOLA. BATTLE   OF    PORT  ROYAL. 

FLAG-officer  William  Mervine,  in  his  official  report  of  the 
burning  of  the  Confederate  privateer  Judah,  off  Pensacola, 
on  the  13th  of  September,  says :  "lam  grieved  to  report  that 
this  brilliant  affair  was  n*ot  unattended  with  loss  on  our  side.  I 
have  to  report  as  killed  by  shots  from  the  cross-trees  of  the 
schooner,  while  the  boats  were  approaching,  boatswain's  mate 
Charles  H.  Lamphere,  and  John  R.  Herring,  seaman  and  cap- 
tain of  howitzer  (two  of  the  best  men  in  our  ship),  and 
Marine  John  Smith  (the  first  man.  to  board  tlie  schooner,  and 
who  behaved  most  gallantly),  who  was,  by  a  sad  mistake,  having 
lost  his  distinguishing  mark,  killed  by  one  of  our  own  men. 
#  *  #  The  Marines  especially  seemed  to  have  sustained  the 
reputation  borne  by  their  branch  of  the  service,  as  they  receive 
encomiums  from  all  sides."  The  following  is  a  full  list  of  the 
Marines  engaged :  Captain  Edward  McDonald  Reynolds, 
wounded,  First  Sergeant  Patrick  Fitzsimmons,  Sergeant  James 
Gallaher,  Corporal  John  Moore,  Corporal  George  Debbyshire, 
Privates  Martin  Barnum,  Francis  Kelly,  James  Fuller,  Dennis 
Sullivan,  Savillan  Coburn,  wounded,  Anthony  Baker,  Michael 
Ryan,  Terrence  O'Dowd,  wounded  badly,  John  Smith,  killed, 
John  Smith,  2nd,  Charles  Daily,  Edward  Eagan,  Augustus 
Hartman,  Charles  Carberry,  wounded,  Clarence  Barton. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  the  squadron  under  Flag-officer  S. 
140 


Capture  of  the  Confederate  Privateer  Judah  off  Pensacola.  141 

F.  Du  Pont,  attacked  the  enemy's  batteries  on  Bay  Point  and 
Hilton  Head  (Forts  Beauregard  and  Walker),  and  succeeded 
in  silencing  them  after  an  engagement  of  four  hours  duration, 
and  driving  away  the  squadron  of  rebel  steamers,  under  Com- 
modore Tatnall.  The  defeat  of  the  enemy  terminated  in  utter 
rout  and  confusion.  Their  quarters  and  encampments  were 
abandoned  without  an  attempt  to  carry  away  either  public  or 
private  property.  The  ground  over  which  they  fled  was  strewn 
with  the  arms  of  private  soldiers,  and  officers  retired  in  too 
much  haste  to  submit  to  the  encumbrance  of  their  swords. 
The  Marines  and  a  company  of  seamen  took  possession  of  the 
deserted  ground,  and  held  the  forts  on  Hilton  Head  till  the 
arrival  of  General  Sherman.  The  bearer  of  the  despatches 
giving  an  account  of  the  victory,  carried-  with  him  the  first 
American  ensign  raised  upon  the  soil  of  South  Carolina  after 
the  rebellion  broke  out.  The  following  officers  of  the  Corps 
were  attached  to  the  vessels  named  below  during  the  engage- 
ment: Wabash,  Captain  I.  T.  Doughty;  Susquehanna,  First 
Lieutenant  P.  R.  Fendall  j  Vandalia,  Captain  John  Schermer- 
horn.  The  other  vessels  were  supplied  with  guards,  under  the 
charge  of  sergeants. 

Secretary  Welles,  in  his  reply  to  the  official  report  of  the 
fight,  says  :  "  To  you  and  your  associates,  under  the  providence 
of  God,  we  are  indebted  for  this  great  achievement  by  the 
largest  squadron  ever  fitted  out  under  that  flag  which  you  have 
so  gallantly  vindicated,  and  which  you  will  bear  onward  to  con- 
tinued success." 

The  following  is  the  full  text  of  Flag-officer  Du  Pont's  report 
concerning  the  Marine  battalion  dated  on  board  the  Flag- 
ship Wabash,  Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  November  15,  1861, 
and  addressed  to  Secretary  Welles :  "  I  avail  myself  of  the  first 
moment  of  leisure  to  transmit  to  you  the  report  of  Major  John 
George-  Reynolds,  commanding  the  battalion  of  Marines  at- 
tached to  my  squadron,  in  which  he  relates  all  the  circum- 
stances attending  the  loss  of  the  chartered  steamer  Governor, 


142  Battle  of  Port  Royal. 

and  the  rescue  of  himself  and  his  command  by  the  frigate 
Sabine,  Captain  Ringgold.  The  Department  will  find  this  report 
exceedingly  interesting,  and  will  be  gratified  to  learn  that  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  and  of  nearly  all  the  men  of  the  battal- 
ion was  such  as  to  command  Major  Reynolds'  approval,  as  it 
will,  I  doubt  not,  receive  the  favorable  notice  of  the  Depart- 
ment. The  established  reputation  and  high  standing  of  Major 
Reynolds  might  almost  dispense  with  any  observation  of  my 
own  upon  the  bravery  and  high  sense  of  honor  which  he  dis- 
played in  disputing  with  Mr.  Weidman,  though  not  a  seaman, 
the  privilege  of  being  the  last  to  leave  the  wreck." 

The  following  are  extracts  from  Major  Reynolds'  report,  dated 
on  board  the  United  States  ship  Sabine,  at  sea,  November  8, 
1861,  addressed  to  Flag-officer  Du  Pont:  "I  have  the  honor  to 
report  that  the  Marine  battalion  under  my  command  left  Hamp- 
ton Roads  on  transport  steamboat  Governor,  on  the  morning  of 
Tuesday,  the  29th  of  October,  with  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet, 
and  continued  with  them  near  the  flag-ship  Wabash  until  Friday, 
the  1  st  of  November.  On  Friday  morning,  about  ten  o'clock, 
the  wind  began  to  freshen,  and  by  twelve  or  one  blew  so  vio- 
lently that  we  were  obliged  to  keep  her  head  directly  to  the 
wind,  and  thereby  leave  the  squadron,  which  apparently  stood 
its  course.  Throughout  the  afternoon  the  gale  continued  to 
increase,  though  the  Governor  stood  it  well  until  about  four 
o'clock."  The  vessel  was  much  damaged  by  sea  and  wind,  and 
was  in  danger  of  going  down.  The  report  continues :  "  At 
daybreak  preparations  were  made  for  sending  boats  to  our 
relief,  although  the  sea  was  running  high  ;  and  it  being  exceed- 
ingly dangerous  for  a  boat  to  approach  the  guards  of  the 
steamer,  in  consequence  the  boats  laid  off,  and  the  men  were 
obliged  to  jump  into  the  sea,  and  then  hauled  into  the 
boats.  All  hands  were  thus  providentially  rescued  from  the 
wreck,  with  the  exception,  I  am  pained  to  say,  of  one  corporal 
and  six  privates,  who  were  drowned  or  killed  by  the  crush  or 
contact  of  the  vessels.     Those  drowned  were  lost  through  their 


Battle  of  Port  Royal.  143 

disobedience  of  orders  in  leaving  the  ranks  or  abandoning  their 
posts.  After  the  troops  were  safely  reembarked,  every  exertion 
was  directed  to  securing  the  arms,  accoutrements,  ammunition 
and  other  property  which  might  have  been  saved  after  lighten- 
ing the  wreck.  I  am  gratified  in  being  able  to  say  nearly  all 
the  arms  were  saved  and  about  half  the  accoutrements.  Too 
much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  upon  the  officers  and  men 
under  my  command  :  all  did  nobly.  The  firmness  with  which 
they  performed  their  duty  is  beyond  all  praise.  For  forty-eight 
hours  they  stood  at  ropes  and  passed  water,  to  keep  the  ship 
afloat.  Refreshments  in  both  eating  and  drinking  were  passed 
to  them  at  their  posts  by  non-commissioned  officers.  It  is  im- 
possible for  troops  to  have  conducted  themselves  better  under 
such  trying  circumstances.  The  transport  continued  to  float 
some  hours  after  she  was  abandoned,  carrying  with  her  when 
she  sank,  I  am  grieved  to  say,  company  books  and  staff  returns. 
In  order  to  complete  the  personnel  of  the  battalion,  I  have  re- 
quested Captain  Ringgold  to  meet  a  requisition  for  seven 
privates,  to  which  he  has  readily  assented.  I  considered  this 
requisition  in  order,  as  I  have  been  informed  by  Captain  Ring- 
gold it  is  his  intention,  or  orders  were  given  for  his  ship,  to 
repair  to  a  northern  port,  in  which  event  he  can  be  easily  sup- 
plied, and  my  command,  by  the  accommodation,  rendered  com- 
plete, in  order  to  meet  any  demand  you  may  make  for  our 
services." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  battalion  under 
the  command  of  Major  Reynolds  :  — 


Major  commanding,  John  George  Reynolds. 

Second  Lieutenant,  T.  L.  McElrath,  Adjutant  j  Second  Lieutenant  E.  A. 
Smalley,  Assistant  Quartermaster ;  Assistant  Surgeon  Ricketts. 

Captains  George  R.  Graham,  James  Wiley. 

First  Lieutenants  L.  M.  Goldsborough,  Frank  Munroe,  R.  W.  Hunting- 
don, J.  H.  Grimes,  W.  H.  Parker,  C.  H.  Nye. 

Second  Lieutenants  H.  A.  Bartlett,  C.  A.  Stillman,  S.  H.  Mathews,  F.  H. 
Corrie,  C.  H.  Bradford,  E.  B.  Sturgeon,  A.  Devereux. 


144  Battle  of  Port  Royal. 

After  the  engagement  Captain  Schermerhorn  was  transferred 
to  the  battalion. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  1862,  Captain  C.  G.  McCawley.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenants  H.  B.  Lowry,  P.  C.  Pope  and  S.  W.  Powell 
joined  the  battalion  then  in  camp  at  Bay  Point. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

NOVEMBER,    l86l. — THE   TRENT   AFFAIR. DETAILS    OF    ONE    OF 

THE     MOST     INTERESTING     EVENTS     OF     THE     WAR.  —  MINOR 
ENGAGEMENTS. 

NO  event  of  the  war  attracted  more  attention  from  other  na- 
tions than  that  which  has  gone  into  history  as  "  The  Trent 
Affair."  In  the  capture  of  Slidell  and  Mason  and  their  com- 
panions, no  fighting  took  place,  but  the  presence  and  active  par- 
ticipation of  the  Marines  justifies  the  introduction  of  the  subject 
so  far  as  the  capture  itself  was  concerned.  On  the  8th  of  No- 
vember, Lieutenant  Fairfax,  of  the  United  States  steamer  Sari 
Jacinto,  received  from  Captain  Wilkes  orders  to  have  the  second 
and  third  cutters  of  that  ship  fully  manned  and  armed,  and  be 
in  all  respects  prepared  to  board  the  steamer  Trent,  then  ho  ve- 
to under  the  guns  of  the  San  Jacinto.  On  boarding  her,  he  was 
ordered  to  demand  the  papers  of  the  steamer,  her  clearance 
from  Havana,  and  the  list  of  passengers  and  crew.  The  order 
continued :  "  Should  Mr.  Mason,  Mr.  Slidell,  Mr.  Eustis,  and 
Mr.  McFarland  be  on  board,  you  will  make  them  prisoners,  and 
send  them  on  board  the  ship  immediately,  and  take  possession 
of  her  as  a  prize.  All  trunks,  cases,  packages,  and  bags  be- 
longing to  them  you  will  take  possession  of,  and  send  on  board 
this  ship.  Any  despatches  found  on  the  persons  of  the  prison- 
ers, or  in  possession  of  those  on  board  the  steamer,  will  be  taken 
possession  of  also,  examined,  and  retained,  if  necessary.  I  have 
understood  that  the  families  of  these  gentlemen  may  be  with 
them.      If    so,    I   beg    you    will   offer   them,  in   my  name,   a 

US 


146  The  Trent  Affair. 

passage  in  this  ship  to  the  United  States,  and  that  all  the  at- 
tention and  comforts  we  can  command  are  tendered  them,  and 
will  be  placed  in  their  service.  In  the  event  of  their  acceptance, 
should  there  be  any  thing  which  the  captain  of  the  steamer  can 
spare  to  increase  their  comforts  in  the  way  of  necessaries  or 
stores,  of  which  a  war  vessel  is  deficient,  you  will  please  pro- 
cure them.  The  amount  will  be  paid  for  by  the  paymaster. 
Lieutenant  James  A.  Greer  will  take  charge  of  the  third  cutter, 
which  accompanies  you,  and  assist  you  in  these  duties." 

At  1.30  o'clock  p.  m.,  on  the  same  day,  Lieutenant  Fairfax  re- 
paired alongside  the  British  packet  in  an  armed  cutter,  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Houston,  second  assistant  engineer,  and  Mr. 
Grace,  the  boatswain.  He  went  on  board  the  Trent  alone,  leav- 
ing the  two  officers  in  the  boat,  with  orders  to  wait  until  it  be- 
came necessary  to  show  some  force.  He  was  shown  up  by  the 
first  officer  to  the  quarter-deck,  where  he  met  the  captain,  and 
informed  him  who  he  was,  asking  to  see  the  passenger  list.  The 
captain  declined.  Lieutenant  Fairfax  told  him  that  he  had 
information  of  Messrs.  Mason,  Slidell,  Eustis,  and  Mc- 
Farland  taking  passage  at  Havana,  in  the  packet  for  St.  Thomas, 
and  announced  his  intention  to  satisfy  himself  whether  they 
were  on  board  before  allowing  the  steamer  to  proceed.  Mr. 
Slidell,  evidently  hearing  his  name  mentioned,  stepped  forward, 
and  asked  if  he  was  wanted.  Mr.  Mason  soon  joined  them, 
and  then  Mr.  Eustis  and  Mr.  McFarland,  when  Lieutenant 
Fairfax  made  known  the  object  of  his  visit.  The  captain  of  the 
Trent  opposed  any  thing  like  the  search  of  his  vessel,  nor  would 
he  consent  to  show  papers  or  passenger  list.  The  four  gentle- 
men above  mentioned  protested  also  against  being  arrested. 
There  was  considerable  noise  among  the  passengers  about  this 
time,  which  led  Mr.  Houston  and  Mr.  Grace  to  repair  on  board 
with  some  six  or  eight  men,  all  armed.  After  several  un- 
successful efforts  to  persuade  Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Slidell  to  go 
peaceably,  Lieutenant  Fairfax  called  to  Mr.  Houston  and 
ordered  him  to  return  to  the  ship  with  the  information  that  the 


The  Trent  Affair.  147 

four  gentlemen  named  in  Captain  Wilkes'  order  were  on  board, 
and  force  must  be  applied  to  take  them  out  of  the  packet.  A 
few  minutes  later  there  was  still  greater  excitement  on  the  quar- 
ter-deck, which  brought  Mr.  Grace  with  his  armed  Marines. 
Lieutenant  Fairfax,  however,  deemed  the  presence  of  any  armed 
men  unnecessary,  and  only  calculated  to  alarm  the  ladies  pres- 
'  ent ;  he  directed  Mr.  Grace  to  return  to  the  lower  deck,  where 
he  had  been  since  going  on  board. 

Less  than  half  an  hour  after  they  boarded  the  Trent,  the 
second  armed  cutter,  under  Lieutenant  Greer,  came  along- 
side. He  carried  in  the  third  cutter  eight  Marines  and  four 
machinists,  in  addition  to  a  crew  of  some  twelve  men.  When 
the  Marines  and  some  armed  men  had  been  formed  just  outside 
of  the  main  deck  cabin,  where  the  four  gentlemen  had  gone 
to  pack  up  their  baggage,  Lieutenant  Fairfax  renewed  his  efforts 
to  induce  them  to  accompany  him.  They  still  refused  to  go, 
unless  force  was  applied.  Lieutenant  Fairfax  called  to  his  as- 
sistance four  or  five  officers,  and,  first  taking  hold  of  Mr.  Mason's 
shoulder,  with  another  officer  on  the  opposite  side,  he  went  as 
far  as  the  gangway  of  the  steamer,  and  delivered  him  over  to 
Lieutenant  Greer,  to  be  placed  in  the  boat.  He  then  returned 
for  Mr.  Slidell,  who  insisted  that  he  must  apply  considerable  force 
to  cause  him  to  go.  Lieutenant  Fairfax  called  in  three  officers, 
and  Mr.  Slidell  was  taken  in  charge  and  handed  over  to  Mr. 
Greer.  Mr.  McFarland  and  Mr.  Eustis,  after  protesting,  went 
quietly  into  the  boat.  They  had  been  permitted  to  collect  their 
baggage,  but  were  sent  in  advance  of  it,  under  charge  of  Lieu- 
tenant Greer. 

When  Mr.  Slidell  was  taken  prisoner,  a  great  deal  of  noise 
was  made  by  some  of  the  passengers,  which  caused  Lieutenant 
Greer  to  send  the  Marines  into  the  cabin.  They  were  immedi- 
ately ordered  to  return  to  their  former  position  outside.  Lieu- 
tenant Fairfax  carried  out  his  purpose  without  using  any  force 
beyond  what  appears  in  this  report.  The  mail  agent,  who  was  a 
retired  commander  in  the  British  Navy,  had  much  to  say  as  to 


148  The  Trent  Affair. 

the  propriety  of  the  seizure,  but  Lieutenant  Fairfax  purposely 
avoided  all  official  intercourse  with  him.  When  the  American 
force  was  finally  leaving  the  steamer,  the  mail  agent  made  some 
apology  for  his  rude  conduct,  and  expressed  personally  his  ap- 
proval of  the  manner  in  which  Lieutenant  Fairfax  carried  out 
his  orders. 

In  the  report  of  his  participation  in  the  affair,  Lieutenant  Greer 
says :  "  When  I  first  went  on  board  with  the  Marines,  and  at 
intervals  during  my  stay,  the  officers  of  the  steamer  made  a 
great  many  irritating  remarks  to  each  other  and  to  the  passen- 
gers, which  were  evidently  intended  for  our  benefit.  Among 
other  things  said,  were :  i  Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  an  out- 
rage ? '  '  Marines  on  board !  why,  this  looks  devilish  like  mutiny.' 
1  These  Yankees  will  have  to  pay  well  for  this.'  'This  is  the 
best  thing  in  the  world  for  the  South ;  England  will  open  the 
blockade.'  'We  will  have  a  good  chance  at  them  now.'  '  Did 
you  ever  hear  of  such  a  piratical  act  ? '  '  Why,  this  is  a  perfect 
Bull's  Run ! '  '  They  would  not  have  dared  to  have  done  it  if 
an  English  man-of-war  had  been  in  sight ! '  The  mail  agent  (a 
man  in  the  uniform  of  a  commander  in  the  Royal  Navy,  I  think,) 
was  very  indignant  and  talkative,  and  tried  several  times  to  get 
me  into  a  discussion  of  the  matter.  I  told  him  I  was  not  there 
for  that  purpose.  He  was  very  bitter ;  he  told  me  that  the 
English  squadron  would  raise  the  blockade  in  twenty  days  after 
his  report  of  this  outrage  got  home ;  that  the  Northerners  might 
as  well  give  up  now,  etc.,  etc." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy,  December  1,  1861  :  "The  report  of  the  com- 
mandant of  the  Marine  Corps  is  herewith  transmitted.  Under 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  March  3,  1849,  orders  were  given  in 
April  and  May  to  enlist  eleven  hundred  and  fifty-two  additional 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  to  meet  the  requirements 
of  the  service.  A  large  number  of  able-bodied  men  of  a  superior 
class  were  very  readily  obtained,  and  the  increased  demand  for 
guards  for  vessels  has  rendered  necessary  an  additional  increase 


Minor  Engagements.  149 

of  five  hundred  privates,  with  the  necessary  non-commissioned 
officers,  which  number  you  have  recently  authorized  to  be  en- 
listed. A  general  return  of  the  Corps  for  October  accompanies 
the  report  of  the  commandant,  and  shows  the  actual  strength  of 
the  Corps,  ashore  and  afloat,  to  have  been  at  that  time  two 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  sixty-four.  In  July  last,  a  battalion 
of  twelve  officers  and  three  hundred  and  thirty-six  men,  under 
Major  J.  G.  Reynolds,  was  detailed  for  duty  with  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  under  General  McDowell.  They  were  in  the  en- 
gagement at  Bull  Run,  and  Major  Reynolds'  report  thereof  will 
be  found  herewith.  A  similar  battalion  of  nineteen  officers  and 
three  hundred  and  thirty  men,  under  the  same  officer,  was  de- 
spatched with  the  expedition  to  Port  Royal." 

One  of  the  bloodless  victories  of  the  war  in  which  the  Ma- 
rines took  an  active  part  was  the  capture  of  Wassaw  Island, 
December  5th.  On  that  day  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  left 
Tybee  roads  before  daylight,  with  the  steamers  Ottawa,  Seneca, 
and  Pembina,  and  crossed  the  bar  of  Wassaw  Sound.  He  ap- 
proached the  fort  on  Wassaw  Island  within  a  mile,  and  seeing 
neither  guns  nor  men,  did  not  fire,  but  sent  Lieutenant  Barnes 
to  it  with  a  white  flag.  He  found  it  an  enclosed  octagonal  work, 
with  platforms  for  eight  guns  on  the  water  faces.  The  land  faces 
were  protected  by  abatis.  The  work  was  well  constructed. 
The  guns  had  been  removed,  the  platforms  cut,  and  the  maga- 
zine blown  up.  From  the  freshness  of  the  foot-prints,  and  other 
signs,  it  appeared  to  have  been  abandoned  but  a  short  time. 
Adjoining  the  fort  were  huts  or  sheds  for  a  large  garrison. 
Some  lumber  and  bricks  remained :  every  thing  else  had  been 
carried  away. 

Another  minor  success  of  a  similar  nature  was  won  by  a  body 
of  Marines  on  the  12th  of  the  same  month.  On  that  day,  Lieu- 
tenant J.  W.  A.  Nicholson,  commanding  the  United  States 
steamer  Isaac  Smith,  stationed  at  St.  Helena  Sound,  S.  C,  went 
up  the  Ashepoo,  taking  the  Marines  of  the  Dale,  and  having 
Colonel  Welsh,  of  the  Army,  and  Lieutenant-commanding  Trux- 


150  Minor  Engagements. 

tun,  as  passengers.  He  landed  the  party  at  Fenwick's  Island 
Fort,  to  make  a  reconnoissance,  and  when  it  was  finished,  stood 
up  the  river  as  far  as  Mosquito  Creek.  Seeing  a  picket  of  several 
mounted  men  at  a  house  which,  on  a  previous  visit,  he  had  dis- 
covered to  be  their  headquarters,  he  fired  at  them,  once  with  a 
rifle  shot,  and  again  with  an  eight-inch  shell.  This  driving  them 
to  the  woods,  he  landed  the  Marines,  and  burned  the  quarters. 

Just  two  weeks  later,  the  Marine  guard  of  the  Dale,  acting 
under  orders  of  W.  T.  Truxtun,  lieutenant-commanding,  had  an 
engagement  with  a  small  body  of  Confederates  on  the  South 
Edisto  river,  S.  C,  near  a  house  said  to  be  the  property  of 
Governor  Aiken.  The  Confederates  took  refuge  in  the  house, 
but  were  finally  driven  off,  without  the  loss  of  a  Marine  or  in- 
jury to  a  boat. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE   MERRIMAC   AND    MONITOR    FIGHT. 

ONE  of  the  most  important  contests  in  the  history  of 
modern  naval  warfare  was  the  fight  in  Hampton  Roads, 
in  which  the  famous  confederate  ram,  the  Merrimac,  was  en- 
gaged. The  battle  opened  soon  after  noon  on  the  8th  of  March, 
and  lasted  during  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  a  portion  of 
the  ninth.  Other  pens  have  graphically  described  this  fight; 
no  portion  of  the  history  of  the  war  is  more  familiar  to  the 
people  of  all  sections  than  this,  and  it  requires  but  a  brief 
description  here.  The  noble  old  Cumberland  was  the  first 
victim  of  the  terrible  ram,  and  sank  with  a  loss  of  more  than 
one  hundred  men,  after  a  most  gallant  fight.  Lieutenant  Ham- 
ersly  of  the  Marine  Corps,  in  his  history  of  the  operations  of 
the  Navy  during  the  war,  says  of  the  action  of  the  Cumberland  : 
"  Of  the  gallantry  of  this  action,  which  has  furnished  one  of  the 
brightest  as  well  as  one  of  the  saddest  pages  to  the  naval  his- 
tory of  the  world,  it  is  difficult  to  speak  in  fitting  terms."  Lieu- 
tenant George  W.  Morris  of  the  Navy,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  Cumberland  in  the  temporary  absence  of  Commander  Rad- 
ford, in  his  supplementary  report  of  the  action,  says  :  "Owing 
to  the  hurried  manner  in  which  my  official  report  to  Captain 
Radford  was  made,  I  omitted  to  mention  to  you  the  gallant  con- 
duct of  Lieutenant  Charles  Heywood,  United  States  Marine 
Corps,  whose  bravery  upon  the  occasion  of  the  fight  with  the 
Merrimac  won  my  highest  applause.     May  I  respectfully  ask 

I51 


152  The  Merrimac  and  Monitor  Fight. 

that  this  be  appended  to  my  former  report."  The  first  shot  from 
the  Merrimac  killed  nine  Marines  on  the  Cumberland,  who 
formed  part  of  the  Marine  division  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Heywood.  In  the  account  of  such  a  notable  fight, 
it  is  not  out  of  place  to  give  a  list  of  Marines  saved,  which  is  as 
follows :  — 

Orderly  Sergeant  Sweeney,  Sergeants  Brown  and  Callahan, 
Corporals  Harris,  Stevenson  and  Craig,  Drummer  Joshlyn, 
Fifer  Baxter,  Privates  Lyons,  Martin,  Bunker,  2nd,  W.  McFad- 
din,  Deady,  Lanning,  Goetz,  Daley,  Howard,  Murley,  Learey, 
McCarthy,  Small,  Wilkes,  and  O'Connor. 

The  Merrimac's  next  victim  was  the  Congress,  which,  after  a 
brave  but  hopeless  defence,  was  abandoned  by  her  crew,  being 
on  fire  near  the  after  magazine.  She  blew  up  a  few  hours  after- 
ward. Captain  Marston,  of  the  Roanoke,  said  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Congress :  "  This  was  a  melancholy  satisfaction  to 
me,  for  as  she  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  it  was 
far  better  to  have  her  destroyed  than  she  should  be  employed 
against  us  at  some  future  day."  The  other  vessels  of  the  fleet 
also  suffered  severely  from  the  attack  of  the  terrible  engine  of 
destruction  which  the  confederates  had  -sent  against  them.  On 
the  following  morning,  however,  she  found  a  new  opponent  in 
the  shape  of  the  little  Monitor.  When  the  great  ram  went  out 
to  complete  her  destructive  work,  the  tide  of  battle  was  turned 
in  favor  of  the  fleet  by  the  previously  untried  but  powerful  little 
iron-clad.  Captain  Marston,  in  his  official  report,  written  on 
the  ninth,  says  :  "  The  contest  has  been  going  on  during  most  of 
the  day  between  those  two  armed  vessels,  and  most  beautifully 
has  the  little  Monitor  sustained  herself,  showing  herself  capable 
of  great  endurance." 

Of  a  portion  of  the  famous  battle,  Captain  Van  Brunt,  of  the 
Minnesota,  said,  in  his  official  report:  "The  Merrimac  ran 
down  near  to  the  Rip-raps,  and  then  turned  into  the  channel 
through  which  I  had  come.  Again  all  hands  were  called  to 
quarters,  and  when  she  approached  within  a  mile  of  us  I  opened 


The  Merrimac  and  Monitor  Fight.  153 

upon  her  with  my  stern  guns,  and  made  signal  to  the  Monitor  to 
attack  the  enemy.  She  immediately  ran  down  in  my  wake,  right 
within  range  of  the  Merrimac,  completely  covering  my  ship 
as  far  as  was  possible  with  her  diminutive  dimensions,  and,  much 
to  my  astonishment,  laid  herself  right  alongside  of  the  Merri- 
mac, and  the  contrast  was  that  of  a  pigmy  to  a  giant.  Gun 
after  gun  was  fired  by  the  Monitor,  which  was  returned  with 
whole  broadsides  from  the  rebels,  with  no  more  effect,  appar- 
ently, than  so  many  pebble  stones  thrown  by  a  child.  After  a 
while  they  commenced  manoeuvring,  and  we  could  see  the  lit- 
tle battery  point  her  bow  for  the  rebels,  with  the  intention,  as  I 
thought,  of  sending  a  shot  through  her  bow  port-hole  ;  then  she 
would  shoot  by  her,  and  rake  her  through  the  stern.  In  the 
meantime  the  rebels  were  pouring  in  broadside  after  broadside, 
but  almost  all  her  shot  flew  over  the  little  submerged  propeller, 
and  when  they  struck  the  bomb-proof  tower,  the  shot  glanced  off 
without  producing  any  effect,  clearly  establishing  the  fact  that 
wooden  vessels  cannot  contend  with  iron-clad  ones ;  for  never 
before  was  any  thing  like  it  dreamed  of  by  the  greatest  enthusi- 
ast in  maritime  warfare." 

During  the  whole  of  the  battle,  the  Marines  on  the  fleet  per- 
formed their  duty  with  surprising  coolness  and  bravery.  They 
fought  the  guns  to  which  they  were  assigned  with  accuracy  and 
with  effect.  They  justly  won  the  admiration  and  praise,  not 
only  of  the  naval  officers  under  whom  they  acted,  but  of  the 
whole  of  the  loyal  nation  in  whose  service  they  were  engaged. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  officers  of  the  Corps 
who  were  in  this  engagement :  Minnesota,  Captain  W.  L.  Shut- 
tleworth  and  First  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Cartter  \  Roanoke,  Cap- 
tain M.  R.  Kintzing  •  Cumberland,  First  Lieutenant  Charles 
Heywood ;  Congress,  First  Lieutenant  Joseph  F.  Baker ;  St. 
Lawrence,  Second  Lieutenant  Richard  S.  Collum. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

1862.  VARIOUS      ENGAGEMENTS,      EXPEDITIONS     AND     OTHER 

SERVICES    DURING   THE    EARLY   PART   OF    THE   YEAR. 

EARLY  in  January  a  joint  expedition  of  the  Navy  and  Army 
for  operations  in  the  waters  of  North  Carolina  moved 
from  Hampton  Roads,  under  command  of  Flag-officer  L.  U. 
Goldsborough  and  Brigadier-general  A.  E.  Burnside  respectively. 
The  naval  force  arrived  at  Hatteras  Inlet  on  the  13th  of  January, 
and  in  two  days  succeeded,  though  with  labor  and  difficulty,  in 
passing  over  the  bulk-head  and  through  the  narrow,  shallow,  and 
tortuous  channel  ;  but  the  Army  transports  were  unable  to  sur- 
mount the  obstacles  and  be  fully  prepared  for  active  cooperation 
until  some  weeks  later.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  February, 
the  combined  expedition  proceeded  towards  Roanoke  Island ; 
the  naval  vessels,  placed  by  Flag-officer  Goldsborough  under  the 
immediate  command  of  Commander  S.  C.  Rowan,  were  formed 
in  three  separate  columns,  commanded  respectively  by  Lieuten- 
ants Reed  Werden,  Alexander  Murray,  and  H.  K.  Davenport. 
On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  vessels  of  the  insurgents,  eight 
in  number,  were  discovered  drawn  up  behind  an  extensive  barri- 
cade, formed  by  a  double  row  of  piles  and  sunken  vessels 
stretched  across  the  sound.  At  10.30  o'clock  the  engagement 
began,  which  continued  till  the  next  day,  at  three  o'clock,  p.  m., 
and  the  national  flag  was  hoisted  on  the  enemy's  works.  Com- 
mander Rowan  pursued  the  enemy's  naval  fleet  up  the  sound, 
and  on  the  morning  of   February  10th,  the   steamers  were    dis- 

J54 


Various  Engagements,  Expeditions,  and  other  Services.      155 

covered  in  the  Pasquotauk  river,  drawn  up  behind  a  battery. 
The  works  and  fleet  were  soon  captured,  Elizabeth  City  and 
Edenton  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  government  forces.  In 
these  actions  the  Marines  on  board  the  vessels  were  sergeant's 
guards. 

•Flag-officer  Goldsborough  having  been  recalled  to  Hampton 
Roads,  a  combined  Army  and  Naval  expedition,  under  General 
Burnside  and  Commander  Rowan,  left  Hatieras  Inlet  and  arrived 
at  Slocum's  Creek,  the  point  selected  for  the  disembarkation  of 
the  troops,  on  the  12th  of  March.  The  next  morning  the  land- 
ing of  troops  began,  gun-boats  shelling  the  woods  at  the  same 
time.  Six  naval  war  howitzers  with  their  crews,  under  Lieuten- 
ant R.  S.  McCook,  were  landed  to  assist  in  the  attack  on  the 
enemy's  works.  About  four  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  first  of  the 
enemy's  batteries  opened  on  the  boats.  The  firing  ceased  at 
sundown.  On  the  14th,  the  Army  having  engaged  the  enemy, 
Commander  Rowan  moved  up  the  river  with  his  fleet,  and  the 
enemy  abandoned  the  forts  in  succession  under  the  pressure  of 
the  combined  columns.  On  arriving  at  Newbern,  the  enemy 
having  fled,  Commander  Rowan  took  possession  of  the  place. 
The  approach  by  river  to  Newbern  was  obstructed  by  piles  and 
torpedoes,  from  which  the  vessels  sustained  some  injury,  and 
the  passage  was  disputed  by  six  forts.  After  the  fall  of  New- 
bern, Lieutenant  A.  Murray  was  despatched  with  a  naval  column 
to  take  possession  of  Washington,  N.  C.  He  was  accompanied 
by  a  detachment  from  the  Army.  He  arrived  on  the  21st  of 
March,  and  the  place  surrendered  to  him  without  resistance. 

The  batteries  on  shore  having,  on  the  morning  of  the  25th  of 
April,  opened  fire  on  Fort  Macon,  Commander  Samuel  Lock- 
wood,  senior  officer  of  the  blockading  fleet  off  Beaufort,  pre- 
pared his  vessels  for  action  and  proceeded  within  range  of  the 
fort.  Fire  was  opened  from  the  steamers  Daylight,  State  of 
Georgia,  Chippewa,  and  bark  Gemsbok,  which  was  continued 
about  an  hour  and  a  quarter.  In  the  afternoon  a  flag  of  truce 
was  displayed  from  the  fort,  which  on  the  next  morning  sur- 


156       Various  Engagements,  Expeditions,  and  other  Services. 

rendered  to  Major-general  Burnside.  In  these  actions  the  Ma- 
rines on  board  the  vessels  were  sergeant's  guards. 

In  the  engagement  in  the  early  part  of  March,  under  Flag- 
officer  Du  Pont,  which  resulted  in  the  possession  of  Cum- 
berland Island  and  Sound,  Fernandina  and  Amelia  Islands,  and 
river  and  town  of  St.  Mary's,  the  fleet  included  the  armed 
transport  McClellan,  having  on  board  the  battalion  of  Marines 
under  the  command  of  Major  Reynolds.  The  first  important 
step  in  the  series  of  victories  was  to  hoist  the  flag  on  Fort 
Clinch,  the  first  of  the  captured  national  forts  on  which  the 
ensign  of  the  Union  resumed  its  proper  place  after  the  first 
proclamation  of  the  President.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the 
4*th,  the  town  of  Fernandina  was  occupied  by  a  party  of  Marines 
and  seamen  from  Commander  Drayton's  command,  and  a  com- 
pany of  Marines  and  sailors  under  Lieutenant  Miller  was  sent 
from  the  Mohican  to  hold  Fort  Clinch.  Flag-officer  Du  Pont 
said :  "  We  captured  Port  Royal,  but  Fernandina  and  Fort 
Clinch  have  been  given  to  us."  One  principal  and  ultimate 
object  of  the  expedition  was,  to  take  and  keep  under  control  the 
whole  line  of  the  sea-coast  of  Georgia,  the  commander  knowing, 
to  use  the  language  of  the  original  paper,  "  that  the  naval 
power  that  controlled  the  sea-coast  of  Georgia  controlled  the 
State  of  Georgia." 

On  the  25th  of  March,  the  Hon.  G.  A.  Parcelti,  Mayor  of 
St.  Augustine,  Fla.,  and  the  members  of  the  City  Council,  joined 
in  the  following  letter  to  Flag-officer  Du  Pont,  commanding  the 
United  States  naval  forces  off'  Florida  :  "  The  undersigned,  the 
Mayor  and  City  Council  and  citizens  of  St.  Augustine,  beg 
leave  to  express  their  heartfelt  gratification  and  satisfaction  at 
the  polite  and  urbane  course  of  Major  Isaac  T.  Doughty  and 
officers  of  the  U.  S.  Marines  since  their  arrival  in  and  occupancy 
of  the  city,  and  of  the  good  conduct  and  discipline  of  the  troops 
under  their  command,  and  also  their  unfeigned  regret  at  their 
departure;  and  respectfully  ask  that  our  high  appreciation  of 
their  gentlemanly  demeanor  be  conveyed  to   Major   Doughty 


Various  Engagements,  Expeditions  and  other  Services.    157 

and  his  command.  They  would  also  express  their  desire,  and 
that  of  the  citizens  in  general,  that  the  battalion  of  Marines 
under  Major  Reynolds,  which  they  understand  is  now  off  our 
harbor,  if  the  same  be  compatible  with  the  plans  of  the  United 
States  Government,  be  stationed  within  our  city." 

The  command  of  Major  Reynolds  having  been  ordered  to 
Washington,  Commodore  Du  Pont  detached  Lieutenant  H.  B. 
Lowry,  and  ordered  him  for  duty  on  the  Wabash,  the  flag-ship. 

The  officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  the  south  blockading 
squadron  during  the  year  1862,  and  on  the  first  of  January, 
1863,  were  as  follows  :  Flag-ship  Wabash,  Captain  James  Lewis 
and  First  Lieutenant  H.  B.  Lowry  j  iron-clad  steamer  New 
Ironsides,  First  Lieutenant  H.  A.  Bartlett  and  Second  Lieuten- 
ant James  B.  Young  ;  Powhattan,  First  Lieutenant  Percival  C. 
Pope ;  Storeship  Vermont,  Second  Lieutenant  Alfred  Devereux. 

The  following  officers  of  the  Corps  were  attached  to  the  ships 
engaged  in  shelling  Sewall's'  Point  and  other  operations  in  the 
vicinity  during  the  early  part  of  May:  Susquehanna,  Cap- 
tain P.  R.  Fendall ;  San  Jacinto,  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson ;  the 
Dakota,  Seminole,  and  Mount  Vernon,  each  four  sergeant's 
guards. 

In  the  engagement  with  a  fort  on  Ward's  or  Drury's  Bluff, 
eight  miles  from  Richmond,  under  Commander  John  Rodgers, 
the  Marine  guard  of  the  Galena  was  commanded  by  a  sergeant. 
Private  Joseph  Johnson  was  killed  during  the  action.  Com- 
mander Rodgers  says,  in  a  report  of  the  action  :  "  The  Marines 
were  efficient  with  their  muskets,  and  they,  when  ordered  to 
fill  vacancies  at  the  guns,  did  it  well." 

In  June,  Commander  Prentiss,  senior  officer  commanding  off 
Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  informed  Flag-officer  Du  Pont 
that  if  he  would  send  him  three  small  vessels  drawing  about 
eight  or  ten  feet  of  water,  and  a  guard  of  fifty  Marines,  he 
would  run  up  the  Santee  River  and  destroy  the  railroad  bridge, 
and  thus  cut  off  communication  between  Charleston  and  the 
interior  of   the    State.     On  receipt  of  this  information,  Flag- 


158      Various  Engagements,  Expeditions  and  other  Services. 

officer  Du  Pont  ordered  Lieutenant  Lowry  of  the  Marines  to 
take  passage  in  the  Hope,  and  report  to  Commander  Marchand, 
place  on  board  of  the  Hall  and  Henry  Andrew  the  Marine 
guards  of  the  James  Adger,  Keystone  State,  and  Albatross.  Of 
these  Lieutenant  Lowry  assumed  command,  and  with  them  he 
proceeded  to  Georgetown,  S.  C,  and  reported  to  Commander 
Prentiss  "  for  special  service  in  the  neighboring  waters."  The 
Marines,  about  sixty  in  number,  were  divided  up  in  squads  and 
placed  as  sharp-shooters  on  the  different  vessels.  On  the  24th, 
the  expedition  started  up  the  Santee  river  to  destroy  the 
bridge.  The  Marines  were  constantly  firing  at  the  cavalry,  who 
followed  along  the  banks  of  the  river.  Arriving  at  the  planta- 
tion of  Mr.  Arthur  Blake,  an  English  subject,  Lieutenant  Lowry 
landed  the  Marines  and  examined  the  house,  and  attempted 
to  capture  a  battery  which  had  taken  position  in  the  woods 
near  by.  They  discovered  unmistakable  evidence  that  the 
house  had  been  in  use  as  quarters  for  the  enemy,  and  found  arms 
secreted  there.  After  a  skirmish  of  about  an  hour,  the  force 
returned  to  the  ship  with  but  two  Marines  wounded.  By  order 
of  Commander  Prentiss,  the  house  of  Mr.  Blake  was  burned. 
The  expedition  failed  to  destroy  the  bridge,  on  account  of  lack 
of  water  in  the  river  for  the  vessels  to  operate.  The  Marines 
remained  in  the  waters  about  Georgetown,  the  Santee  and 
Wahamau  rivers  until  July  1st,  when  they  returned  to  their 
various  ships. 

Early  in  August,  Commander  Foxhall  Parker,  commanding 
the  Wabash,  was  ordered  to  take  one  hundred  Marines  and  one 
hundred  sailors  to  go  ashore  on  Morris  Island,  and  put  two 
two-hundred-pound  Parrott  and  two  two-hundred-pound  Whit- 
worth  guns  in  battery ;  the  guard  of  the  Wabash,  about  sixty 
Marines,  and  the  guard  of  the  New  Ironsides,  about  thirty-five, 
accompanied  by  Second  Lieutenant  James  B.  Young,  all  under 
command  of  Captain  Lowry,  landed  and  reported  to  Captain 
Parker.  For  two  weeks  the  Marines  and  sailors  worked,  haul- 
ing their  guns  up  the  beach  and  getting  them  in  battery.     The 


Various  Engagements,  Expeditions  and  other  Services.     159 

Marines  remained  with  the  naval  battery,  so  called,  until  the 
arrival  of  the  Marine  battalion  on  Morris  island  under  com- 
mand of  Major  Zeilin,  when  the  Wabash  men  joined  them,  and 
the  Ironside  men  under  Lieutenant  Young  returned  to  their  ship. 

The  officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  the  northern  blockading 
squadron  during  the  latter  part  of  the  year  and  on  the  first  of 
January,  1863,  were :  Flag-ship  Minnesota,  Captain  W.  L. 
Shuttleworth,  Second  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams  ;  Sloop 
Vandalia,  First  Lieutenant  C.  H.  Nye. 

A  naval  station  having  been  created  at  Cairo,  Illinois,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Marines  were  ordered  there  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  M.  R.  Kintzing  with  the  following  officers : 
First  Lieutenants  Frank  Munroe,  S.  H.  Mathews,  and  Second 
Lieutenant  F.  L.  Church.  Lieutenant  Church  was  subsequently 
ordered  to  command  guard  of  the  flag-ship  Black  Hawk. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

APRIL  TO  DECEMBER,   1862. THE  CAPTURE  OF    NEW   ORLEANS. 

PASSING     THE     BATTERIES    AT    VICKSBURG. MARINES    CAP- 
TURED   BY   THE   ALABAMA. 

NO  account  of  the  capture  of  New  Orleans  by  the  Union 
forces,  under  Admiral  Farragut,  heretofore  laid  before  the 
public,  has  given  a  correct  statement  of  the  services  performed 
by  the  Marines  in  that  memorable  contest.  Of  the  resistance 
offered  by  the  Confederate  forts  below  New  Orleans,  Admiral 
Farragut  said  :  "  Such  a  fire,  I  imagine,  the  world  has  rarely 
seen."  In  the  terrible  experience  of  silencing  that  fire,  reducing 
the  forts  and  capturing  the  city,  the  Marines  bore  themselves  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  elicit  the  hearty  commendation  of  the 
officers  of  the  fleet,  and  to  aid  materially  in  the  success  of  the 
engagement.  During  the  fight,  the  Varuna,  Commander  Charles 
S.  Boggs  commanding,  sustained  the  fire  of  the  forts,  and  at 
the  same  time  was  attacked  by  two  powerful  iron-clads.  After 
a  gallant  resistance,  in  which  the  two  vessels  of  the  enemy  were 
destroyed,  the  Varuna  herself  sunk,  still  bidding  defiance  to  the 
foe,  with  colors  flying  and  her  guns  dealing  destruction  to  the 
enemy  until  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi  closed  over  her.  In 
his  report  of  the  fate  of  his  vessel,  Commander  Boggs  says : 
"  The  Marines,  although  new  recruits,  more  than  maintained 
the  reputation  of  that  Corps.  Their  galling  fire  cleared  the 
Morgan's  rifled  gun,  and  prevented  a  repetition  of  her  murder- 
ous fire."  Commander  John  De  Camp,  commanding  the 
Iroquois,  wrote  :  "The  Marines  behaved  with  spirit  and  gallan- 
160 


The  Capture  of  New  Orleans.  161 

try,  which  we  may  always  expect  in  well-drilled  Americans." 
Captain  T.  T.  Craven,  of  the  ship  Brooklyn,  said :  "  Lieutenant 
James  Forney,  commanding  the  Marines,  had  two  guns  assigned 
him,  and,  with  his  men,  fought  most  gallantly." 

But  brave  and  efficient  as  were  the  Marines  in  the  action,  a 
more  important  work  awaited  them ;  a  work  for  whose  successful 
accomplishment,  as  has  already  been  intimated,  they  have  not 
heretofore  received  due  credit,  inasmuch  as  the  full  story  of  the 
capture  of  the  city  has  not  been  told.  On  the  morning  of  the 
24th  of  April,  immediately  after  the  action  with  Forts  Jackson 
and  St.  Phillip,  and  the  destruction  of  the  rebel  fleet,  the  Ma- 
rines under  command  of  Captain  John  L.  Broome,  by  order  of 
Admiral  Farragut,  landed  and  took  possession  of  the  quarantine, 
at  the  same  time  taking  prisoners  the  rebel  troops,  with  their 
officers  quartered  in  the  quarantine  buildings,  and  hoisting  the 
flag  of  the  United  States  on  the  same.  Admiral  Farragut  hav- 
ing determined  to  take  military  possession  of  the  city  until  the 
arrival  of  the  troops  under  General  Butler's  command,  a  battal- 
ion of  Marines  under  command  of  Captain  Broome,  about  two 
hundred  and  fifty  strong,  disembarked  from  the  fleet  on  the  29th 
of  April,  and  marched  to  the  Custom-house.  Here  Captain 
Alan  Ramsay  was  detailed  with  a  detachment  of  Marines  to 
occupy  the  Custom-house  and  guard  the  United  States  flag,  then 
about  to  be  hoisted  on  the  building.  At  this  juncture  the  Ma- 
rines were  joined  by  two  howitzers,  manned  by  seamen,  in  charge 
of  Midshipmen  J.  H.  Read  and  E.  C.  Hazeltine,  from  the  flag- 
ship Hartford.  After  taking  possession  of  the  Custom-bouse, 
Captain  Broome  received  orders  from  Captain  H.  H.  Bell, 
senior  officer  present,  to  march  the  Marines  to  the  City  Hall,  a 
distance  of  about  half  a  mile  from  the  vessels  of  the  fleet,  and 
near  the  centre  of  the  city.  The  forces  under  General  Lovell 
had  not  evacuated  the  city,  and  the  squares  and  streets  were 
thronged  with  an  excited  mob,  brandishing  bowie-knives  and 
revolvers,  and  hailing  the  Marines  with  the  most  abusive  lan- 
guage; but  the  command  marched  in  close  order  and  steady 


1 62  The  Capture  of  New  Orleans. 

steps  to  its  destination.  On  arriving  at  the  City  Hall,  Lieuten- 
ant John  C.  Harris  was  directed,  with  a  guard  of  Marines,  to 
occupy  the  building  and  enforce  order  there  while  the  enemy's 
flag  was  hauled  down  from  the  flag-staff  on  the  building.  After 
performing  this  duty,  the  Marines  were  marched  to  the  place 
of  embarkation,  and  returned  to  the  fleet,  except  the  number 
quartered  in  the  Custom-house,  who  were  retained  there  for  the 
purpose  of  guarding  the  United  States  flag.  When  the  troops 
of  General  Butler's  command  landed  at  New  Orleans  on  the 
i st  of  May,  the  force  of  Marines  still  on  duty  in  the  city 
returned  to  the  fleet. 

Respectable  inhabitants  of  the  city  afterwards  stated  that 
rarely  were  men  in  more  imminent  danger  from  assassination 
than  was  the  small  detachment  of  Marines  on  that  occasion, 
and  that  they  wondered  at  the  boldness  of  the  act,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, and  trembled  for  the  safety  of  the  city,  fearing,  and 
with  reason,  that  any  overt  act  on  the  part  of  the  excited  mob 
would  result  in  an  immediate  bombardment,  wholly  under  the 
command  of  the  ship's  broadsides ;  the  calm  and  steady  attitude 
of  the  Marines  tended  to  a  great  extent  to  the  prevention  of 
such  a  calamity. 

And  so,  three  days  before  the  arrival  of  General  Butler,  the 
Marines  took  possession  of  and  held  the  public  buildings  of  the 
city  of  New  Orleans,  literally  perfecting  the  conquest  of  the  city 
by  hauling  down  the  confederate  flag  and  hoisting  the  stars 
and  stripes.  For  three  days  the  force  under  Captain  Broome 
held  in  subjection  the  turbulent  and  rebellious  elements  of  the 
population  of  the  city,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  gave  place  to 
the  troops  under  command  of  General  Butler.  To  rescue  this 
important  chapter  in  the  records  of  the  Marines  from  the  oblivion 
of  meagre  official  documents  in  the  national  archives,  and  to  give 
it  a  legitimate,  and  what  is  trusted  will  be  a  lasting,  prominence, 
is  but  an  act  of  justice  to  the  Corps. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  Marines  killed  and 
wounded  during  the  capture  of  the  forts  and  the  city :  —  Killed : 


Passing  the  Batteries  at   Vieksburg.  163 

Brooklyn,  Privates  W.  Lenahan  and  Henry  H.  Roff ;  Iroquois, 
Private  Jacob  Schoenfeldt ;  Mississippi,  Corporals  George 
Sanderson  and  W.  H.  Woods.  Wounded :  Oneida,  Private 
Henry  Cooper ;  Hartford,  Second  Lieutenant  Heisler,  Privates 
Henry  King  and  George  White  ;  Brooklyn,  Privates  Lorin  Heath, 
J.  R.  Sanders  and  Leonard  Killion ;  Pensacola,  Lieutenant 
John  C.  Harris,  Sergeant  Stermbergh,  Privates  George  Perkins, 
Michael  O'Bryan,  Frederick  Davye,  Francis  Pepper,  and  John 
Brogan ;  Iroquois,  Corporal  Walter  J.  White,  mortally,  Alfred 
Jackson  ;  Varuna,  Privates T.  Gordon,  D.  McLaughlin,  J.  Logan, 
and  J.  McQuinn ;  Mississippi,  Private  Richard  C.  Carman. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  the 
Western  Gulf  squadron  during  the  year  1862  to  January  1,  1863  : 
Flag-ship  Hartford,  Captain  John  L.  Broome,  Second-  Lieuten- 
ant Heisler,  who  was  relieved  after  the  Battle  of  New  Orleans 
by  First  Lieutenant  John  H.  Higbee;  steam-sloop  Pensacola, 
Second  Lieutenant  John  C.  Harris  ;  steam-sloop  Brooklyn,  First 
Lieutenant  James  Forney  ;  steam-sloop  Susquehanna,  off  Mobile, 
Captain  Philip  R.  Fendall,  Jr. ;  steam-sloop  Mississippi,  Captain 
P.  H.  W.  Fontane;  steam-frigate  Colorado  (this  vessel,  on  ac- 
count of  her  heavy  draught,  was  unable  to  get  over  the  bar), 
Captain  George  R.  Graham,  First  Lieutenant  Samuel  C.  Adams  ; 
sloop  Portsmouth,  above  the  passes,  First  Lieutenant  W.  H. 
Hale  ;  frigate  Potomac,  off  Pensacola,  First  Lieutenant  George 
W.  Collier;  steam-sloop  Richmond,  Captain  Alan  Ramsay; 
sloop  Vincennes,  Ship  Island,  Second  Lieutenant  N.  L.  Nokes. 

On  the  28th  of  June,  the  fleet  under  Admiral  Farragut 
passed  the  batteries  at  Vieksburg,  receiving  and  answering 
a  terrible  fire  from  the  well  mounted  guns  of  the  enemy.  Cap- 
tain Broome,  commanding  the  Marines  of  the  squadron,  was 
wounded,  as  were  also  Privates  Thomas  Nolan  and  George  W. 
Harris  of  the  Marine  guard  of  the  Richmond.  Commander 
R.  Wainwright,  commanding  flag-ship  Hartford,  says  of  the  con- 
duct of  the  Marines  during  the  fight :  "  The  Marine  guard, 
under  command  of  Captain  John  L.  Broome,  had  charge  of  two 


164  Marines  Captured  by  the  Alabama. 

broadside  guns,  and  fought  them  well,  thus  sustaining  the  repu- 
tation of  .that  distinguished  Corps."  Officers  of  the  Corps  who 
participated  in  this  engagement  were  assigned  as  follows :  Hart- 
ford, Captain  John  L.  Broome,  First  Lieutenant  J.  H.  Higbee ; 
Brooklyn,  First  Lieutenant  James  Forney  ;  Richmond,  Captain 
Alan  Ramsay. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  in  the  engagement  between  the  con- 
federate ram  Arkansas  and  Farragut's  vessels,  above  Vicksburg, 
Captain  Broome  was  again  wounded,  as  was  also  Private  George 
Roger  of  the  Marines. 

During  the  early  part  of  December  an  event  occurred  which 
was  most  deeply  regretted  by  the  Marines  and  by  the  friends  of 
the  Corps.  Seldom  has  the  Corps  known  the  unpleasantness  of 
defeat;  but,  in  this  instance,  the  circumstances  of  the  case 
forced  upon  a  battalion  of  Marines  the  unavoidable  necessity  of 
submitting  to  a  superior  force  without  the  opportunity  to  fire  a 
shot.  Mortifying  as  was  this  fact,  however,  the  firmness  and 
patriotism  of  the  defeated  men  in  refusing  to  yield  to  the  flatter- 
ing offers  laid  before  them  to  tempt  them  to  desert  their  flag 
reflected  lasting  credit  upon  them.  On  Saturday,  the  1st  of 
December,  two  companies  of  Marines,  of  seventy  men  each, 
sailed  from  New  York  in  the  Pacific  mail  steamship  Ariel  for 
Aspinwall.  A  portion  of  this  command  was  destined  for  the 
garrison  at  Mare  Island,  Cal.,  and  the  remainder  for  the  ships 
composing  the  Pacific  squadron.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th, 
when  off  the  eastern  end  of  Cuba,  a  steamer  hove  in  sight  flying 
the  United  States  flag.  The  Ariel  continued  on  her  course,  fol- 
lowed by  the  stranger,  who  rapidly  overhauled  her.  When  with- 
in a  mile,  the  pursuing  vessel  fired  a  blank  cartridge,  at  the  same 
time  hauling  down  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  hoisting  in  their 
stead  the  flag  of  the  confederacy.  Captain  Jones,  commanding 
the  Ariel,  paid  no  attention  to  this  unmistakable  summons,  but 
continued  on  his  course,  saying,  "  I  will  not  heave  to."  A 
solid  shot  was  then  fired,  which  passed  through  the  rigging  of 
the  Ariel,  followed  by  a  shell,  which  caused  much  damage,  cut- 


Marines  Captured  by  the  Alabama.  165 

ting  away  the  foremast.  At  this,  Captain  Jones  hove  to.  In  a 
few  moments  a  boat  filled  with  armed  men  came  alongside,  in 
charge  of  Lieutenant  Armstrong  of  the  confederate  Navy,  who 
announced  to  the  captain  of  the  Ariel  that  the  latter  had  sur- 
rendered to  the  famous  Alabama.  The  Marines  were  ordered 
to  surrender  their  arms,  and  the  officers  their  swords.  Any 
resistance  on  their  part  would  have  endangered  the  lives  of  the 
women  and  children.  The  order  having  been  complied  with, 
Lieutenant  Armstrong  addressed  the  command,  calling  for  twenty 
volunteers  to  fill  up  the  Marine  guard  of  the  Alabama,  offering 
the  best  pay  and  plenty  of  prize  money  if  they  would  join  the 
Pride  of  the  Ocean,  also  saying  he  knew  they  thought  more 
of  Jeff  Davis  than  of  Lincoln.  Finding  that  not  a  man  would 
prove  recreant  to  his  trust,  or  traitor  to  his  country,  the  lieuten- 
ant withdrew.  The  Ariel  being  in  possession  of  a  prize  crew 
of  sailors,  Major  Garland,  at  the  request  of  Captain  Semmes, 
detailed  sentinels,  though  prisoners  of  war,  to  guard  the  spirit 
rooms  to  prevent  the  rebel  crew  from  making  use  of  the  liquor 
they  contained.  The  officers  and  men  of  the  Ariel  were 
paroled,  and,  after  considerable  discussion  and  delay,  the  vessel 
was  ransomed  for  the  handsome  sum  of  $261,000,  and  permitted 
to  proceed  on  her  journey.  The  battalion  arrived  in  due  course 
of  time  at  Mare  Island,  where  they  were  shortly  afterwards  ex- 
changed. 


During  this  year  a  detachment  of  Marines,  under  the  com- 
mand of  First  Lieutenant  McLane  Tilton,  garrisoned  Pilot 
Town,  Louisiana. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

1863.  RAID      OF      REBEL      IRON-CLADS     AMONG       THE     VESSELS 

OFF      CHARLESTON. QUELLING       THE       DRAFT       RIOTS       IN 

NEW      YORK      CITY.  UNSUCCESSFUL      ATTACK       ON        FORT 

SUMTER.  —  THE   PORT   HUDSON   AFFAIR,   ETC. 

ABOUT  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  January  31,  1863, 
during  the  obscurity  of  a  thick  haze,  two  iron-clad  gun- 
boats ran  out  of  Charleston  by  the  main  ship  channel,  unper- 
ceived  by  the  squadron,  and  began  a  raid  upon  the  blockading 
fleet.  Most  of  the  latter  were  of  the  light  class  of  purchased 
vessels,  two  of  the  heaviest  men-of-war,  the  Powhattan  and 
Canandaigua,  being  then  at  port  coaling  and  repairing.  The 
Mercedita,  Captain  Stellwagen,  was  the  first  vessel  attacked, 
and  was  rendered  powerless  without  having  an  opportunity  to 
fire  a  shot.  Unable  to  use  his  guns,  and  being  at  the  mercy  of 
the  enemy,  who  was  lying  alongside,  all  resistance  was 
deemed  hopeless  by  Captain  Stellwagen,  and  he  surrendered. 
The  crew  and  officers  were  paroled.  The  iron-clad,  leaving 
the  Mercedita  to  her  fate,  to  sink  or  float,  next  engaged  the 
Keystone  State,  Commander  Le  Roy,  who  was*  also  attacked  by 
the.  enemy.  The  fire  was  gallantly  returned,  but  the  superior 
power  of  the  enemy  soon  disabled  the  Keystone  State.  In  the 
meantime,  the  Augusta,  Commander  Parrott,  the  Quaker  City, 
Commander  Frailey,  and  the  Memphis,  Acting  Lieutenant 
Watmough,  kept  up  a  fire  upon  the  enemy,  diverting  his 
attention  from  the  Keystone  State,  which  was  soon  after  taken 
166 


Raid  of  Rebel  Iron-clads  among  the  Vessels  off  Charleston.    167 

in  tow  by  the  Memphis  and  drawn  away  from  the  fire.  The 
Augusta  and  Quaker  City  were  both  struck  in  their  hulls,  the 
Memphis  only  in  her  rigging.  The  Housatonic,  Captain 
Taylor,  gave  chase,  and  a  shot  from  her  struck  the  pilot-house 
of  one  of  the  iron-clads,  carrying  away  one  of  her  flags.  The 
enemy's  vessels  passed  to  the  northward,  receiving  the  fire  of  the 
ships,  and  took  refuge  behind  the  shoals.  The  only  casualties 
were  on  the  Mercedita  and  the  Keystone  State.  On  the  Key- 
stone State  they  were  very  large  ;  about  one-fourth  of  her  crew 
were  killed  and  wounded,  and  among  the  former  was  the  med- 
ical officer  of  the  ship,  Assistant  Surgeon  Jacob  H.  Gotwald, 
who  was  scalded  to  death  while  rendering  surgical  aid  to  one  of 
the  wounded  men.  The  following  is  a  list  of  casualties  in  the 
Marine  guard  of  the  Keystone  State :  Killed,  Orderly  Sergeant 
Edward  Livermore,  Corporal  William  A.  Graw,  Privates  Thomas 
Riley,  John  W.  Armstrong,  William  Deilz,  John  P.  Conway, 
William  Peyton  and  Patrick  Herrick.  Wounded,  Private 
Michael  Scott. 

In  the  disastrous  attack  on  Port  Hudson,  by  Admiral  Farra- 
gut,  on  the  13th  of  March,  the  following  officers  of  the  Marine 
Corps  were  engaged :  Flag-ship  Hartford,  Captain  John  L. 
Broome  and  First  Lieutenant  J.  H.  Higbee  ;  Richmond,  Cap- 
tain Alan  Ramsay ;  Mississippi,  Captain  P.  H.  Fontane.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  casualties  in  the  Marine  guards :  —  Hartford, 
killed,  Private  Thomas  F.  Butler.  Mississippi,  missing,  Privates 
Patrick  Bannon,  Peter  Doyle,  Patrick  Flatherty,  James  McMullin, 
John  Redding,  William  Talant  and  John  Kelly  ;  killed,  Private 
David  Kelly.  Richmond,  killed,  Privates  Charles  Catherwood 
and  John  Thompson  ;  wounded,  Privates  Thomas  Nolan,  Joseph 
P.  Mullin,  George  W.  Harris,  Michael  O'Niel,  Robert  Staples 
and  Edward  Conover,  Corporals  John  S.  Gross  and  Robert  H. 
Neely.  Monongahela,  Corporal  Francis  Marr,  wounded.  In 
his  report  of  the  participation  of  the  steamer  Richmond  in  the 
engagement,  Commodore  James  Alden  says  :  "  Captain  Ramsay, 
who  deserves  special  mention,  in  charge  of  the  Marine  division 


1 68  Quelling  the  Draft  Riots  in  New  York  City. 

of  great  guns,  had  nearly  a  whole  gun's  crew  swept  away  by  a 
single  cannon  shot."  While  passing  the  batteries  on  Red  river, 
on  the  19th,  Privates  John  Brown,  Michael  Corcoran  and  Pat- 
rick Cook  were  wounded. 

The  enemy's  steamer  Virginia,  having  been  chased  by  the 
Wauchusett,  was  captured  when  near  a  shoal  close  to  the  island 
of  Majores.  Lieutenant  George  P.  Houston,  of  the  Marines, 
volunteered  to  bring  the  vessel  out  from  its  proximity  to  the 
dangerous  shoals.  Accordingly,  with  a  detachment  of  his 
guard,  he  took  possession  of  the  vessel  and  ran  her  out  into 
the  open  sea,  fifteen  miles  off  the  coast.  A  Marine  was  placed 
at  the  wheel,  another  as  oiler  in  the  engine-room,  others  in  the 
fire-room,  while  the  gallant  lieutenant  ran  the  engines  himself. 
So  efficiently  and  promptly  was  this  duty  performed,  that  Rear 
Admiral  Wilkes  expressed  his  approbation  in  a  letter  to  the 
Department. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  a  battalion  of  Marines,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  J.  C.  Grayson,  left  the  barracks  in  Brooklyn, 
in  response  to  a  request  from  the  authorities  of  the  city  of  New 
York.  A  strong  resistance  having  been  made  to  the  draft  by 
evil-disposed  and  lawless  persons,  and  many  lives  having  been 
lost  in  consequence,  it  became  necessary  to  quell  the  disturbance 
by  force  of  arms.  The  battalion  marched  to  the  City  Hall,  and 
from  that  point  was  sent  in  different  directions,  clearing  the 
streets  in  some  localities  and  assisting  the  police  in  making 
arrests.  In  addition  to  this,  the  district  in  which  the  rioting  had 
taken  place  was  thoroughly  patroled,  and  sentinels  posted  over 
public  buildings  and  property  in  danger  of  destruction  by  the 
disaffected.  This  duty  was  performed  from  the  13th  to  the  20th 
of  July,  inclusive,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  city  authorities,  and 
won  their  marked  approbation.  Captain  Grayson's  battalion 
consisted  of  two  companies,  the  first  consisting  of  ninety  men, 
under  First  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Stillman,  and  the  second  of  ninety 
men,  under  Second  Lieutenant  R.  L.  Meade. 

In  the  following  August,  a  battalion  under  the  command  of 


Unsuccessful  Attack  on  Fort  Sumter.  169 

Major  Jacob  Zeilin,  sailed  from  New  York,  to  cooperate  with 
the  South  Atlantic  Squadron,  under  the  command  of  Rear 
Admiral  J.  A.  Dahlgren.  The  battalion  was  debarked  on 
Morris  Island,  where  the  camp  was  established.  It  participated 
in  all  of  the  subsequent  engagements  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  the  outer  defences  of  Charleston.  The  roster  of  the 
officers  of  the  battalion  was  as  follows  :  Major  Jacob  Zeilin, 
Commanding;  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Harris,  Adjutant;  Lieutenant  C. 
H.  Bradford,  Quartermaster ;  Company  A :  Captain  C.  G. 
McCawley,  Lieutenants  R.  L.  Meade  and  F.  T.  Peet;  Company 
B  :  Captain  C.  D.  Hebb,  Lieutenants  George  C.  Stoddard  and 
L.  E.  Fagan ;  Company  C  :  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson,  Lieutenants 
William  Wallace  and  E.  P.  Meeker.  Major  Zeilin  having  been 
allowed  to  return  home  on  sick  leave,  shortly  after  the  arrival 
of  the  battalion,  he  was  succeeded  by  Captain  E.  McD.  Rey- 
nolds, from  the  Wabash.  Lieutenant-colonel  John  George 
Reynolds  subsequently  was  ordered  to  command  the  battalion. 
Captain  Dawson  and  Lieutenant  Harris  returned  home  on  sick 
leave  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Reynolds,  and  Lieutenant 
H.  B.  Lowry  was  appointed  adjutant,  and  Lieutenant  William 
Wallace  succeeded  to  the  command  of  Company  C.  The  first 
important  work  in  which  the  battalion  engaged  was  the  attack 
on  Fort  Sumter,  under  Rear  Admiral  Dahlgren,  on  the 
8th  of  September.  On  the  night  of  the  6th,  the  enemy 
evacuated  Morris  Island.  This  offered  an  opportunity  for 
assaulting  Fort  Sumter,  which  if  successful,  would  enable  Admi- 
ral Dahlgren  to  pass  the  obstructions  in  the  main  channel.  He 
therefore  directed  a  party  of  volunteers  to  be  called  for,  which 
call  was  responded  to  in  a  prompt  and  spirited  manner.  Among 
the  volunteers  were  the  following  officers  of  the  Marine  Corps  : 
Captain  C.  G.  McCawley,  First  Lieutenants  H.  B.  Lowry,  P. 
C.  Pope,  Charles  H.  Bradford  and  John  C.  Harris,  Second 
Lieutenants  R.  L.  Meade,  William  Wallace,  and  L.  E.  Fagan. 
It  was  late  in  the  evening  before  the  arrangements  were  com- 
plete, to  act  in  concert  with  the  detachment  from  the  Army, 


170  Unsuccessful  Attack  on  Fort  Sumter. 

under  General  Gillmore.  Soon  after  ten  o'clock,  the  sound  of 
musketry  announced  the  attack.  This  did  not  last  long, 
and  was  followed  by  shot  and  shell  from  Fort  Moultrie.  The 
attacking  party  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss.  One 
hundred  and  four  men  and  ten  officers  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  three  men  were  killed. 

Captain  McCawley  of  the  Marines  was  in  charge  of  a  detach- 
ment of  six  officers,  six  sergeants,  eighty  corporals,  and  eighty- 
six  privates,  and  reported  himself  and  command  to  Commander 
T.  H.  Stevens.  He  received  instructions  from  the  flag-lieutenant, 
Mr.  Preston,  that  his  command  was  to  be  detailed  for  several 
large  launches.  He  was  instructed  to  keep  his  command  in 
the  rear,  and  not  to  land  until  the  sailors  had  done  so,  but  to 
fire  on  the  enemy  from  the  boats  and  cover  the  landing,  and,  as 
soon  as  the  sailors  got  in,  to  cease  firing,  land,  and  "use  the 
bayonet."  When  the  boats  started,  Captain  McCawley  had 
all  of  his  launches  next  the  tug,  and  was  himself  in  a  four-oared 
boat  on  the  quarter.  The  chief  of  the  expedition  was  on  the 
other  quarter.  After  much  delay  the  boats  were  cast  off  in 
great  confusion.  The  strong  tide  separated  them,  and  Captain 
McCawley  found  it  quite  impossible  to  get  all  his  boats  together, 
as  ordered.  Such  as  he  could  find  he  ordered  to  keep  behind, 
and  pull  in  after  the  sailors,  who  were  then  advancing.  They 
were  soon  discovered,  and  the  fire  began  from  the  loop-holes 
and  parapets  of  Sumter.  This  the  men  returned  briskly  until 
a  cry  was  heard  of  "  Cease  firing."  Presuming  that  the  sailors 
had  landed,  Captain  McCawley  gave  the  order  to  cease  firing 
and  land  ;  but,  to  his  surprise,  he  saw  them  all  immediately 
turn  and  pull  away  after  the- crowd  of  others  which  were  going 
out.  He  called  in  vain  for  the  boats  to  stop,  and  did  not  learn 
till  afterwards  the  nature  of  the  loss  suffered.  Two  lieutenants, 
two  sergeants,  two  corporals,  and  twenty-five  privates  of  the 
Marines  were  missing,  and  one  private  wounded,  on  board  the 
Memphis.  It  was  very  dark  near  the  fort,  and  there  was  great 
confusion.     Lieutenants  Bradford  and  Meade  effected  a  landing, 


Unsuccessful  Attack  on  Fort  Sumter.  171 

but  were  captured  by  the  enemy.  The  former  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  died  in  the  hands  of  his  captors.  He  received 
every  attention  and  kindness  from  Dr.  Mackey,  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Charleston,  and  an  old  friend  of  the  sufferer's  father. 
The  remains  of  the  gallant  officer  were  interred  in  the  doctor's 
family  lot ;  but  the  feeling  among  the  populace  was  intense 
against  this  act  of  humanity  and  kindness,  and,  by  order  of  the 
authorities,  the  body  was  removed  to  the  Potter's  field.  One 
of  the  first  acts  of  Rear  Admiral  Dahlgren,  after  the  fall  of 
Charleston,  was  to  remove  and  bury,  with  all  the  honors  of  war, 
the  remains  in  a  place  more  befitting  the  career  of  the  brave 
and  lamented  officer.  Lieutenant  Meade  suffered  all  the 
privations  of  prison  life,  and  remained  in  Columbia,  S.  C, 
until  regularly  exchanged  ;  not,  however,  until  more  than  a  year 
had  elapsed.  The  list  of  Marines  killed,  wounded  and  missing 
in  the  fleet  during  the  engagement  was  as  follows :  On  the 
Powhattan,  wounded,  Corporal  Hennis,  Privates  Haviland  and 
Ball ;  missing,  Corporal  Cully,  Privates  White,  Scanlan,  Allen, 
Foy,  McConigley,  Kelley  and  Hall.  On  the  Housatonic ; 
missing,  Private  M.  Bannon.  The  following  is  a  list  of  officers 
and  men  missing  from  the  volunteers  of  the  Marine  battalion, 
from  the  camp  on  Morris  Island :  First  Lieutenant  C.  H. 
Bradford,  Assistant  Quartermaster ;  Company  A:  Private  Rogers, 
wounded  on  the  Memphis  \  Company  B  ;  Second  Lieutenant  R. 
L.  Meade,  Orderly  Sergeant  Chisholm,  Corporal  Piggot,  Privates 
McKenna,  Mullen,  Vanzant,  Mclntyre,  Hurshfield,  Johnson, 
Keiffer,  Himes,  Gardner,  Long,  Stansbury,  Reynolds,  Murphy 
and  Mallady  ;  Company  C  :  Sergeant  Mulhall,  Corporal  Black, 
Privates  Haynes,  Hurley,  Preston,  Gettings,  McKinley,  McNeal, 
Bradshaw,  Kassman,  Walsh,  Siddell  and  Martin.  During 
all  the  action  Lieutenant  Lowry  stood  upon  the  gunwale  of  the 
launch,  giving  his  orders  in  a  clear,  distinct  and  fearless 
manner,  which  gained  the  admiration  of  all  present  under  his 
command  during  that  trying  occasion. 

The  following  officers  of  the  Corps  were  attached  to  vessels 


172  Unsuccessful  Attack  on  Fort  Sumter. 

in  the  South  Atlantic  Squadron  during  the  year.  Flag-ship 
Wabash,  Captain  E.  McD.  Reynolds,  First  Lieutenant  H.  B. 
Lowry,  subsequently  Second  Lieutenant  L.  E.  Fagan  ;  iron- 
clad steamer  New  Ironsides,  First  Lieutenant  Henry  A. 
Bartlett  and  Second  Lieutenant  James  B.  Young  (this  vessel 
in  which  these  brave  officers  served  participated  in  twenty-six 
engagements  with  the  forts  commanding  the  defences  of 
Charleston)  ;  Vermont,  at  Port  Royal,  Second  Lieutenant 
Henry  J.  Bishop.  The  following  officers  of  the  Corps  were 
attached  to  the  North  Atlantic  squadron  during  the  year. 
Minnesota  Flag-ship,  Captain  John  Schermerhorn,  Second 
Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams ;  Iron-clad  Steamer  Roanoke, 
First  Lieutenant  Frank  Munroe. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  Lieutenant  Commander  R.  W. 
Meade,  Jr.,  of  the  gun-boat  Marblehead,  was  sent,  at  the  head 
of  a  sufficient  force  of  Marines  and  sailors,  to  complete  the 
victory  of  the  25th  at  Stono,  S.  C,  and  to  capture  or  destroy 
the  property  in  the  earthworks  of  the  enemy.  The  expedition 
was  entirely  successful,  the  work  of  capture  and  destruction 
being  prompt  and  effectual.  In  his  report  of  the  affair,  the 
commander  said  :  "The  conduct  of  the  blue-jackets,  and  espec- 
ially of  the  Marines,  was  excellent." 

During  the  year  the  following  officers  were  attached  to  the 
naval  station  at  Cairo,  Illinois  :  First  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Stillman 
and  R.  S.  Collum  ;  Second  Lieutenants  C.  H.  Humphrey  and 
H.  C.  Cochrane. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

1864. — CONDITION  OF  THE  CORPS. DEATH  OF  COLONEL  HAR- 
RIS.—  THE  DEFEAT  OF  THE  ALABAMA.  —  ADMIRAL  FARRA- 
gut's  ATTACK  ON  THE  DEFENCES  IN  MOBILE  BAY,  ETC. 

THE  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  for  1864  of  the 
Hon.  Gideon  Welles,  Secretary  of  the  Navy:  "The  colonel- 
commandant  of  the  Marine  Corps  reports  his  command  in  a 
good  state  of  discipline.  Although  its  number  is  now  fully 
equal  to  the  quota  authorized  by  law,  he  is  unable  to  comply 
with  all  the  requisitions  for  guards  for  sea-going  vessels.  The 
reports  from  the  several  squadrons  and  vessels  of  the  service 
show  that,  in  the  gallant  deeds  of  the  Navy,  the  Marines  have 
borne  an  honorable  part." 

The  following  named  officers  of  the  Corps  were  attached  to 
the  North  Atlantic  Squadron  on  the  1st  of  January,  1864: 
Flag-ship  Minnesota,  Captain  John  Schermerhorn  and  Second 
Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams ;  iron-clad  steamer  Roanoke, 
First  Lieutenant  Frank  Munroe,  subsequently  First  Lieutenant 
L.  P.  French.  The  remainder  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron, 
with  some  few  exceptions,  were  supplied  with  sergeant's  guards, 
and  in  all  the  operations  on  James  river,  in  the  sounds  of  North 
Carolina,  and  off  Cape  Fear  river  and  adjacent  inlets,  the 
Marines  shared  in  the  labor  and  successes  of  their  brethren  of 
the  Navy,  and  won  the  hearty  approbation  of  their  commanding 
officers,  of  the  Department  and  of  the  country. 

On   the    1  st  of  January,  Lieutenant  Louis  E.  Fagan  of  the 

173 


1^4  ?7ie  Defeat  of  the  Alabama. 

Marines,  in  command  of  thirty  men,  participated  in  the  expedi- 
tion which,  under  orders  from  Admiral  Dahlgren,  destroyed  a 
confederate  vessel  and  valuable  cargo  in  Murrill's  Inlet.  For  his 
conduct  in  this  affair,  Lieutenant  Fagan  received  honorable  men- 
tion in  the  official  report  of  Admiral  Dahlgren  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy. 

On  the  night  of  April  18th,  the  Marines  on  the  Wabash,  off 
Charleston,  ably  assisted  in  repelling  the  attack  of  a  torpedo 
boat.  They  were  stationed  by  Ensign  Charles  H.  Crane,  who 
happened  to  be  officer  of  the  deck  at  the  time,  in  such  a  position 
that  their  continued  and  well-directed  musketry  fire  had  an 
excellent  effort  in  defeating  the  purposes  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  1 2th  of  May,  Colonel  Commandant  John  Harris,  who 
had  "  served  his  country  faithfully  and  well  "  for  fifty  years,  died 
at  headquarters,  Washington,  D.  C,  after  a  short  illness.  Major 
Jacob  Zeilin  was  commissioned  on  the  ioth  of  June  to  succeed 
him. 

While  the  attention  of  the  whole  nation  was  directed  to  the 
contests  going  on  at  home,  news  was  received  of  an  engagement 
off  the  coast  of  France,  the  result  of  which  served  to  encourage 
the  North  and  to  create  a  corresponding  feeling  of  regret,  if  not  of 
despondency,  in  the  South.  In  the  latter  part  of  June,  Captain 
Winslow,  commanding  the  Kearsage,  lying  in  the  port  of  Cher- 
bourg, received  a  note  from  Captain  Semmes  of  the  Alabama,  beg- 
ging that  the  Kearsage  should  not  depart,  as  he  intended  to  fight 
her,  and  would  delay  her  but  a  day  or  two.  According  to  this 
notice,  the  Alabama  left  port  on  the  morning  of  the  19th. 
About  noon  the  action  began ;  the  Alabama  opened  fire,  the 
Kearsage  receiving  two  or  three  broadsides  before  a  shot  was 
returned.  The  action  continued,  the  steamers  making  a  circle 
round  and  round,  at  a  distance  of  about  nine  hundred  yards  from 
each  other.  At  the  expiration  of  an  hour,  the  Alabama  struck, 
going  down  in  about  twenty  minutes  afterward.  The  details  of 
the  fight,  and  of  the  rescue  of  Semmes  by  the  Alabama's  consort, 
the  Deerhound,  which  bore  the  English  flag,  are  too  familiar  to 


The  Defeat  of  the  Alabama.  175 

need  repetition.  In  fact,  the  whole  affair  is  so  much  a  part  of 
the  best  known  portion  of  the  history  of  the  war,  that  the  only- 
reason  for  mentioning  it  here  lies  in  the  conduct  and  services  of 
the  Marines  on  board  the  Kearsage.  In  his  report  of  the  action, 
Lieutenant  Commander  Thornton  says :  "  The  Marines  fought 
the  rifle  gun  upon  the  top-gallant  forecastle,  under  the  charge 
of  Acting  Master's  Mate  Charles  H.  Danforth.  The  action  on 
our  part  was  commenced  by  this  gun,  and  its  fire  was  rapid  and 
effective  throughout.  The  high  reputation  of  their  service  was 
nobly  sustained  by  the  Marine  guard  of  this  ship.  The  orderly 
sergeant,  C.  T.  Young,  the  master-at-arms,  Jason  R.  Watrous, 
also  deserves  special  mention  for  admirable  performance  of  their 
duty.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  Marines  who  were  on 
board  the  Kearsage:  Orderly  Sergeant  Charles  T.  Young; 
Corporals  Austin  Quimley  and  Henry  Hobson  ;  Privates  R.  G. 
Dolley,  Patrick  Flood,  James  Kerrigan,  John  McAlun,  George 
A.  Raymond,  James  Tucker,  Isaac  Thornton,  and  John  G. 
Batchelder. 

During  the  early  part  of  July,  in  an  engagement  between 
the  United  States  steamship  Wyoming,  Commander  D.  McDou- 
gal,  and  the  batteries  at  Simonosaki,  Japan,  Private  Alexander 
Furlong  of  the  Marines  was  killed,  and  Private  Michael  Doyle 
was  wounded. 

Later  in  the  same  month,  when  the  city  of  Washington  was 
threatened  by  the  Southern  Army,  a  battalion  of  Marines  and  a 
battery  of  howitzers,  under  the  command  of  Captain  James 
Forney,  assisted  by  Second  Lieutenant  George  B.  Haycock,  were 
ordered  from  Philadelphia  to  Havre  de  Grace,  Md.,  to  open  the 
railroad  to  Baltimore,  then  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  Major- 
general  French  says:  "The  battalion  commanded  by  Captain 
Forney  attracted  my  attention  by  its  fine  military  appearance, 
its  discipline,  and  the  admirable  manner  in  which  it  was  handled. 
The  arrangements  made  by  Captain  Forney  for  the  artillery  to 
repel  the  attack  threatened  upon  the  station  had  a  great  influence 
in  preventing  one.     The  rapid  manner  in  which  the  order  con- 


176  Admiral  Farragufs  Attack  on  the  Defences  in  Mobile  Bay. 

centrating  the  troops  at  Havre  de  Grace  was  obeyed  by  him, 
and  the  valuable  and  effective  services  performed  by  the  battalion 
under  his  direction,  entitle  him  and  them  to  the  recognition  of 
the  government." 

On  the  5th  of  August,  Admiral  Farragut  made  his  attack  on 
the  defences  of  Mobile.  The  preparations  for  the  attack  began 
in  the  early  part  of  the  preceding  month,  when  the  admiral  held 
a  consultation  with  Generals  Canby  and  Granger  for  the  pur- 
pose of  laying  the  necessary  plans.  At  an  early  hour  on  the 
5th,  the  fleet  was  under  way.  With  characteristic  modesty, 
coupled  with  his  well-known  willingness  to  assume  all  the  re- 
sponsibility and  meet  all  the  danger  to  which  his  high  position 
might  call  him,  Admiral  Farragut  wrote  as  follows  of  one  inci- 
dent of  the  engagement:  "It  was  only  at  the  urgent  request  of 
the  captains  and  commanding  officers  that  I  yielded  to  the 
Brooklyn  being  the  leading  ship  of  the  line,  as  she  had  four 
chase  guns  and  an  ingenious  arrangement  for  picking  up  tor- 
pedoes, and  because,  in  their  judgment,  the  flag-ship  ought  not 
to  be  too  much  exposed.  This  I  believe  to  be  an  error ;  for, 
apart  from  the  fact  that  exposure  is  one  of  the  penalties  of  rank 
in  the  Navy,  it  will  always  be  the  aim  of  the  enemy  to  destroy 
the  flag-ship,  and,  as  will  appear  in  the  sequel,  such  attempt 
was  very  persistently  made,  but  Providence  did  not  permit  it  to 
be  successful." 

The  attacking  fleet  steamed  steadily  up  the  main  ship-channel. 
A  few  minutes  past  seven,  the  fort  opened  fire,  and  was  replied 
to  by  a  gun  from  the  Brooklyn,  and  immediately  after  the  action 
became  general.  Soon  after,  the  Tecumseh,  struck  by  a  torpedo, 
disappeared  almost  instantaneously  beneath  the  waves,  carrying 
with  her  the  gallant  Commander  Craven  and  nearly  all  her  crew. 
Admiral  Farragut  then  dashed  ahead  with  the  Hartford,  and  the 
ships  followed,  many  of  their  officers  firmly  believing  that 
they  were  going  to  certain  death  with  their  brave  commander- 
in-chief.  Just  after  they  passed  the  fort,  about  eight  o'clock, 
the   enemy's  ram  Tennessee  ran  out  at  the  Brooklyn,  as  had 


Admiral  Farragufs  Attack  on  the  Defences  in  Mobile  Bay.   177 

been  expected,  and  in  anticipation  of  which  the  admiral  had 
ordered  the  monitor  on  the  starboard  side.  He  took  no  further 
notice  of  her  than  to  return  her  fire.  The  fighting  continued 
with  great  bravery  on  both  sides.  In  fact,  Admiral  Farragut 
described  it  as  "  one  of  the  fiercest  naval  combats  on  record." 
The  ram  Tennessee,  which  had  done  severe  execution  among 
the  vessels  of  the  fleet,  surrendered  at  ten  o'clock,  and  the  bat- 
tle was  virtually  ended.  Admiral  Farragut  thus  modestly  refers 
to  the  exposed  position  which  he  occupied  during  the  heat  of  the 
engagement:  "  As  I  had  an  elevated  position,  in  the  main  rigging 
near  the  top,  I  was  able  to  overlook  not  only  the  deck  of  the 
Hartford,  but  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet.  I  witnessed  the 
terrible  effects  of  the  enemy's  shot,  and  the  good  conduct  of  the 
men  at  their  guns,  and  although  no  doubt  their  hearts  sickened, 
as  mine  did,  when  their  shipmates  were  struck  down  beside  them, 
yet  there  was  not  a  moment's  hesitation  to  lay  their  comrades 
aside  and  spring  again  to  their  deadly  work." 

As  usual,  the  Marines  in  this  engagement  were  among  the 
foremost  at  every  point  where  bravery  and  discipline  could  aid 
in  winning  victory.  Captain  Percival  Drayton,  commanding  the 
Hartford,  said  in  reference  to  his  vessel :  "  The  two  after-guns 
were  entirely  manned  by  Marines,  who,  under  the  direction  of 
Captain  Charles  Heywood,  performed  most  efficient  service." 
Captain  James  Alden, commanding  the  Brooklyn,  said  that  Cap- 
tain Houston  of  the  Marines  fought  his  guns  "  nobly  and  well." 
Lieutenant  Commander  George  Brown,  commanding  the  Itasca, 
reported  that  "The  Marines  conducted  themselves  with  the 
usual  distinguished  gallantry  of  their  Corps.  Sergeant  James 
S.  Roantree  is  particularly  deserving  of  notice."  Similar  testi- 
mony was  given  by  others  of  the  naval  officers.  The  following 
is  a  list  of  officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  vessels  in  this  action : 
Flag-ship  Hartford,  Captain  Charles  Heywood ;  Brooklyn, 
Captain  G.  P.  Houston ;  Richmond,  First  Lieutenant  C.  L. 
Sherman.  The  remaining  vessels,  with  the  exception  of  the 
monitors,  carried  sergeant's  guards,  as  follows  :  Octorara,  Meta- 


178  Admiral  Farragut \r  Attack  on  the  Defences  of  Mobile  Bay. 

comet,  Port  Royal,  Seminole,  Kennebec,  Itasca,  Galena,  Lack- 
awanna, Monongahela,  Ossipee,  and  Oneida.  The  list  of  Marines 
killed  and  wounded  was  as  follows :  Monongahela,  wounded, 
Private  William  Feeney.  Brooklyn,  killed,  Privates  Michael 
Murphy  and  W.  Smith ;  wounded,  Privates  George  R.  Leland. 
Lackawanna,  wounded,  Privates  James  Keefe  and  Frederick 
Hines.  Oneida,  wounded,  Corporal  David  Johnston  and  Private 
John  Kilroy. 

Below  is  a  list  of  Marines  who  received  especial  honorable 
mention  from  their  commanding  officers,  and  who  received 
"medals  of  honor"  from  the  Department:  On  board  the  Brook- 
lyn, Sergeants  J.  Henry  Dennig  and  Michael  Hudson,  and 
William  M.  Smith  and  Miles  M.  Oviatt,  corporals,  "  for  conspicu- 
ous good  conduct  at  their  guns."  On  board  the  Richmond, 
Orderly  Sergeant  David  Sprowls,  "  recommended  for  coolness 
and  for  setting  a  good  example  to  the  Marine  guard,  working  a 
division  of  great-guns;  joined  the  Richmond  September  27, 
i860  ;  was  in  the  actions  with  Fort  McRea,  the  head  of  the 
passes  of  the  Mississippi,  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  the 
Chalmettes,  the  rebel  iron-clads  and  gun-boats  below  New 
Orleans,  Vicksburg,  Port  Hudson,  and  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  New  Orleans.  He  has  been  in  the  service  twenty-eight 
years."  On  the  same  vessel,  Sergeant  Andrew  Miller,  "  recom- 
mended for  coolness  and  good  conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in 
the  action  ;  was  on  board  the  Brooklyn  in  the  actions  with  Forts 
Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  the  Chalmettes,  the  rebel  iron-clads 
and  gun-boats  below  New  Orleans,  batteries  below  Vicksburg, 
and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans."  Same  vessel, 
Sergeant  James  Martin,  "  recommended  for  coolness  and  good 
conduct  as  captain  of  a  gun  in  the  action  ;  was  in  the  actions 
with  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  the  Chalmettes,  the  iron- 
clads and  gun-boats  below  New  Orleans,  Vicksburg,  Port  Hud- 
son, and  present  at  the  surrender  of  New  Orleans,  on  board 
of  the  Richmond." 

At  the  capture  of  Fort  Morgan,  on  the  22nd  of  August,  a  de- 


Admiral  Farragufs  Attack  on  the  Defences  of  Mobile  Bay.   179 

tachment  of  Marines  served  with  the  naval  battery  on  shore, 
under  command  of  Captain  Charles  Heywood.  On  the  1st  of 
October,  the  Wabash  went  ashore  on  the  outer  edge  of  Frying 
Pan  Shoals.  The  "crew"  consisted  of  a  motley  assemblage  of 
negroes,  landsmen,  and  boys,  who  had  been  temporarily  shipped 
to  do  duty  until  the  new  crew  could  be  received  at  Norfolk. 
Either  through  ignorance  or  unwillingness,  the  men  failed  to 
obey  orders,  and  the  frigate  was  in  danger  of  serious  injury,  if 
not  of  becoming  a  total  loss.  The  launch  was  ordered  to  be 
manned,  and  a  kedge  anchor  carried  out.  None  obeyed  the  sum- 
mons except  a  few  old  sailors,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to 
get  the  boat  from* the  side  of  the  frigate.  In  this  emergency 
the  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  L.  E.  Fagan,  were  called  upon 
by  Captain  De  Camp,  and  with  alacrity  they  obeyed  the  order. 
In  a  few  moments  they  were  away  from  the  ship,  pulling  like 
"  old  salts  "  at  the  oars.  The  anchor  was  placed,  and  when  the 
tide  came  in  the  ship  floated  and  was  safe.  The  efficiency 
of  the  Marines  in  that  hour  of  emergency  won  the  praises  of  the 
commander  of  the  frigate,  who  frequently  alluded  to  their  action 
in  the  affair  in  words  of  commendation. 

In  February,  Lieutenants  R.  S.  Collum  and  H.  C.  Cochrane 
were  ordered  to  Mound  City,  Illinois,  with  a  detachment  of  forty 
men,  to  guard  the  ordnance  stores  which  supplied  the  Mississippi 
Squadron. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

DECEMBER,    1864,    AND   JANUARY,    1865. BUTLER'S    FAILURE   AT 

FORT    FISHER. PORTER'S     CONFIDENCE. THE    FINAL   SUC- 
CESSFUL  ATTACK    BY   PORTER   AND   TERRY. 

AS  early  as  1862  the  necessity  of  closing  the  port  of  Wilming- 
ton became  a  primary  object  with  the  Navy  Department, 
and  was  never  relinquished  by  Secretary  Welles.  But  without 
military  aid  and  cooperation  it  could  not  be  effected  or  even  wisely 
attempted.  In  September,  1864,  the  Department  had  such 
assurances  of  military  assistance  as  to  feel  warranted  in  entering 
upon  the  necessary  preparations  for  assembling  an  adequate 
naval  force  to  undertake  and  perform  its  part  in  accomplishing 
the  work.  Admiral  Farragut  was  selected  to  conduct  the  enter- 
prise ;  but,  in  the  words  of  Secretary  Welles,  "  impaired  health, 
the  result  of  exposure  and  unremitted  exertions  during  two 
years  of  active  labor  and  unceasing  efforts  in  the  Gulf,  rendered 
it  imprudent  for  that  distinguished  and  energetic  officer  to  enter 
upon  this  service."  Admiral  Porter,  who  had  shown  great  abil- 
ity as  the  commander  of  the  Mississippi  Squadron,  and  had 
identified  himself  with  many  of  its  most  important  achievements, 
was  transferred  to  the  command  of  the  North  Atlantic  Squadron, 
which  embraced  within  its  limits  Cape  Fear  river  and  the  port 
of  Wilmington.  Various  causes  intervened  to  delay  the  move- 
ment, and  it  was  not  until  the  early  part  of  December,  1864,  that 
the  expedition  departed  for  Beaufort,  N.  C,  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous. Some  further  necessary  preparations  were  there  made, 
which,  together  with  unfavorable  weather  and  other  incidents,  de- 
180 


Butler's  Failure  at  Fort  Fisher.  181 

layed  the  attack  until  the  day  before  Christmas.  Major-general 
Butler,  who  commanded  the  cooperating  force,  after  a  reconnois- 
sance,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  place  could  not  be  carried 
by  an  assault.  He  therefore  ordered  a  reembarkation,  and  in- 
forming Admiral  Porter  of  his  intention,  returned  with  his  com- 
mand to  Hampton  Roads. 

Unsuccessful  as  this  affair  proved,  there  was  not  lacking  an 
exhibition  of  bravery  and  coolness  on  the  part  of  the  Marines, 
which  tended  to  insure  victory  in  the  next  assault  on  the  fort. 
Commodore  Lanman  says  that  the  conduct  of  the  Marines  on 
the  Minnesota  was  entirely  satisfactory.  Every  one  performed 
his  duty  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability.  The  working  and  practice 
of  the  guns  could  not  have  been  better.  Many  excellent  shots 
were  made,  and  in  this  respect  the  two  guns  worked  by  the 
Marines  were  equal  to  any  other  division.  Captain  Butler  of 
the  Marines,  commanding  his  battery,  being  upon  the  sheer-pole 
of  the  mizzen  rigging,  pronounced  the  practice  excellent. 
Commodore  S.  W.  Godon,  commanding  the  Susquehanna,  says : 
"  First  Lieutenant  William  Wallace,  with  his  fine  company  of 
Marines,  handled  most  effectively  two  extra  nine-inch  guns." 
Similar  testimony  was  borne  by  other  naval  officers  to  the  bravery 
and  efficiency  of  the  Marines  on  the  various  vessels  connected 
with  the  fleet.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  officers  of 
the  Corps  who  were  engaged  in  this  affair :  On  board  the 
Colorado,  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson  and  First  Lieutenant  E.  P. 
Meeker  ;  Minnesota,  Captain  George  Butler  and  Second  Lieu- 
tenant George  M.  Welles ;  Powhattan,  First  Lieutenant  F.  H. 
Corrie  ;  New  Ironsides,  First  Lieutenant  Richard  S.  Collum  and 
Second  Lieutenant  Albert  B.  Young ;  Susquehanna,  First  Lieu- 
tenant William  Wallace  \  Wabash,  First  Lieutenant  L.  E.  Fagan  ; 
Vanderbilt,  First  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Parker ;  Juniata,  Second 
Lieutenant  Jones  Pile ;  Brooklyn,  Captain  G.  P.  Houston ; 
Ticonderoga,  First  Lieutenant  C.  F.  Williams.  The  following 
vessels  carried  sergeant's  guards  :  Santiago  de  Cuba,  Fort  Jack- 
son, Shenandoah,  Tuscarora,  Rhode  Island,  Mohican,  Keystone 


1 82  Butler's  Failure  at  Fort  Fisher. 

State,  Malvern,  Onondaga,  Shamrock,  Chickopee,  Nereus,  Men- 
dota,  Iasco,  Osceola,  Pawtuxet,  Mackinaw,  R.  R.  Cuyler,  Matta- 
bessett,  Massasoit,  Agawam,  Quaker  City,  Pontoosuc,  Eutaw, 
Mercedita  and  Miami.  The  following  Marines  were  killed  and 
wounded :  On  the  Juniata,  Second  Lieutenant  Jones  Pile, 
killed,  and  Private  William  Kennedy,  wounded;  Ticonderoga, 
Private  Cornelius  Collins,  wounded. 

Immediate  information  of  the  failure  of  the  expedition  was 
forwarded  to  the  Department  by  Admiral  Porter,  who  remained 
in  the  vicinity,  and  did  not  agree  with  General  Butler's  view, 
but  was  confident  that  with  adequate  military  cooperation,  the 
fort  could  be  carried.  On  the  suggestion  of  the  President,  Lieu- 
tenant-general Grant  was  advised  of  the  confidence  felt  by 
Admiral  Porter  that  he  could  obtain  complete  success,  provided 
he  should  be  sufficiently  sustained. 

1865.  —  A  second  military  force  was  thereupon  promptly  de- 
tailed, composed  of  about  eight  thousand  five  hundred  men, 
under  the  command  of  Major-general  A.  H.  Terry,  and  sent 
forward.  This  force  arrived  off  Fort  Fisher  on  the  13th  of 
January,  1865.  Offensive  operations  were  at  once  resumed  by 
the  naval  force,  and  the  troops  were  landed  and  intrenched 
themselves,  while  a  portion  of  the  fleet  bombarded  the  works. 
These  operations  were  continued  throughout  the  14th  with  an 
increased  number  of  vessels.  The  15th  was  the  day  decided 
on  for  the  assault.  The  result  is  thus  briefly  recorded  in  the 
official  despatch  of  Admiral  Porter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
dated  from  off  Fort  Fisher,  January  15th,   1865  :  — 

"  Fort  Fisher  is  ours.  I  send  you  a  bearer  of  despatches  with 
a  brief  account  of  the  affair.  General  Terry  is  entitled  to  the 
highest  praise  and  gratitude  of  his  country  for  the  manner  in 
which  he  has  conducted  his  part  of  the  operations.  He  is  my 
beau  ideal  of  a  soldier  and  a  general.  Our  cooperation  has 
been  most  cordial.  The  result  is  victory,  which  will  always  be 
ours  when  the  Army  and  Navy  go  hand-in-hand." 

These  words  were  flashed  all  over  the  Northern  States,  carry- 


The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry.  183 

ing  joy  to  loyal  hearts,  who  crowned  the  names  of  the  brave 
Porter  and  the  gallant  Terry,  and  their  officers  and  men,  with 
the  well  earned  blessings  of  a  grateful  people.  But  this  result 
was  not  attained  without  terrible  fighting  and  heavy  loss  of  life. 
During  the  forenoon  of  the  15th,  forty-four  vessels  poured  an 
incessant  fire  into  the  enemy's  fort.  There  was,  also,  a  force  of 
fourteen  vessels  in  reserve.  At  three,  p.  m.,  the  signal  for  the 
assault  was  made.  Desperate  fighting  ensued j  traverse  after 
traverse  was  taken,  and  by  ten,  p.  m.,  the  works  were  all  carried, 
and  the  flag  of  the  Union  floated  over  them. 

Fourteen  hundred  Marines  and  sailors  participated  in  the  di- 
rect assault.  They  moved  up  to  the  enemy's  works,  though  at 
every  pace  their  ranks  were  thinned  by  death.  The  enemy,  m 
the  words  of  Admiral  Porter,  met  the  advancing  column  "with 
a  courage  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  and  fought  desperately." 
About  thirty  of  the  sailors  and  officers  succeeded  in  climbing  to 
the  top  of  the  parapet,  amid  a  murderous  fire  of  grape,  canister, 
and  musketry.  There  they  planted  the  Union  flag,  but  were 
swept  away  in  a  moment.  The  enemy  mistook  the  attacking 
party  for  the  main  body  of  troops,  and  opposed  a  most  vigorous 
resistance.  In  the  meantime,  Terry's  gallant  soldiers  had 
gained  a  foothold  on  the  north-east  corner  of  the  fort,  "fighting 
like  lions,"  and  contesting  for  every  inch  of  ground.  The  Iron- 
sides and  monitors  aided  the  work,  constantly  hurling  their  shells 
into  the  traverses  not  occupied  by  Terry's  men,  but  filled  by  the 
enemy ;  sometimes,  however,  failing  to  strike  the  enemy,  and 
killing  the  Union  soldiers.  In  this  way  the  troops  fought  from 
traverse  to  traverse,  from  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  until 
ten  at  night.  When  the  joyful  tidings  of  victory  were  signalled 
to  the  fleet,  Admiral  Porter  stopped  his  fire,  and  the  enthusiastic 
sailors  gave  the  soldiers  three  of  the  heartiest  cheers  ever 
heard.  Admiral  Porter  said  at  the  close :  "  It  has  been  the 
most  terrific  struggle  I  ever  saw.  No  one  can  conceive  what  the 
Army  and  Navy  have  gone  through  to  achieve  this  victory,  which 
should  have  been  ours  on  Christmas  Day  without  the  loss  of  a 
dozen  men." 


184        The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry. 

During  the  assault  made  on  the  fort  by  the  Marines  and  sea- 
men, a  strong  force  with  shovels  and  picks  threw  up   within  six 
hundred  yards  of  the  fort  a  well  protected  breastwork,  and  from 
that  gradually  advanced  to  within  two  hundred  yards   a   succes- 
sion of  rifle-pits,  which  were  most  promptly  occupied  by  a  line 
of  skirmishers  composed  of  Marines,  under  Second  Lieutenant 
L.  E.  Fagan.     One  sergeant,  and  six  privates,  who  became  de- 
tached from  Lieutenant  Fagan's  guard  while  in  the   entrench- 
ments at  the  front,  accompanied  the  army  in  the  storming  of  the 
fort,  and  behaved  with  gallantry  and  coolness  during  the   hand- 
to-hand  conflict  that  ensued.     In  his  report,  Lieutenant  Fagan 
called   especial    attention    to  the  conduct  of  Corporal  Tomlin, 
who,  under  a  heavy   fire   from  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  ad- 
vanced  into    an   open   plain  close  to  the  fort,  and    assisted  a 
wounded  comrade  to  a  place  of  safety.     The  assaulting  party  was 
divided  into  four  lines,  the  first  line  being  composed  of  Marines 
under  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson.     The  Marines  were  divided  into 
four  companies,  under  command  of  Captain  Butler,  First  Lieu- 
tenant Wallace,  First  Lieutenant  Corrie,  and  First  Lieutenant  ■ 
Parker,    giving    First    Lieutenant    Williams    charge  of    some 
twenty-five  skirmishers,  and  First  Lieutenant  Meeker  acting  as 
adjutant.     So  hasty  were  the  movements,  that  Captain   Dawson 
was   forced  to   move  without  time  to    equalize    companies,  to 
number  them  off  for  pacing  and  marching,  to  select  sergeants 
to  replace  officers,  or  post  the  guides  of  a  single  company  or 
platoon.     He  led  the  Marines  up,  and  filed  across  the  peninsula 
in  front  of  the  sailors,  with  skirmishers  thrown  out,  and,  so  far 
as  possible,  aided  in  the  terrible  work  of  the  day.     The  almost 
total  and  the  entirely  unavoidable  lack  of  efficient  organization 
on  the  part  of  the  Marines,  growing  out  of  the   fact  that  they 
were  thrown  together  in   small  detachments  from  the  various 
ships  without  previous  drill  together,   interfered  with  their  use- 
fulness, and  tended  to  weaken  the  force  of  their  aid  to  the  seamen. 
Nevertheless,  Captain  Dawson,  Lieutenant  Fagan,  and  the  officers 
and  men  under  them,  fought  bravely,  and  only  yielded  to  the  force 


The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry.       185 

of  circumstances  in  which  they  were  placed.  And  in  spite  of  all 
the  disadvantages  under  which  they  labored,  the  Marines  ren- 
dered efficient  aid  in  the  movement  which  called  the  attention 
of  the  confederates  in  the  fort  away  from  the  attack  of  the  land 
forces,  under  General  Terry.  Looking  back  at  the  engagement, 
after  the  lapse  of  twelve  years,  unbiassed  by  prejudice  for  or 
against  any  of  the  officers  engaged,  a  fair  and  just  judgment 
must  decide  that  the  plan  of  the  attack  was  well  conceived,  and 
that  the  contest  was  one  of  desperate  bravery  and  of  terrible 
energy  on  both  sides.  In  the  triumph  for  the  Union  forces, 
with  which  the  fight  ended,  glory  and  honor  were  won  equally  by 
the  Marines  and  seamen,  who,  in  the  face  of  a  terrible  fire,  and 
against  overmastering  odds,  bravely  aided  to  make  victory  pos- 
sible, and  by  the  soldiers  who  won  that  victory. 

Major-general  Terry,  in  his  official  report  of  the  engagement, 
says :  "  I  should  signally  fail  to  do  my  duty  were  I  to  omit  to 
speak  in  terms  of  the  highest  admiration  of  the  part  borne  by 
the  Navy  in  our  operations.  In  all  ranks,  from  Admiral  Porter 
to  his  seamen,  there  was  the  utmost  desire  not  only  to  do  their 
proper  work,  but  to  facilitate  in  every  possible  manner  the  oper- 
ations of  the  land  forces.  To  him,  and  to  the  untiring  efforts  of 
his  officers  and  men,  we  are  indebted  that  our  men,  stores,  tools 
and  ammunition  were  safely  and  expeditiously  landed,  and  that 
our  wounded  and  prisoners  were  embarked  for  transportation  to 
the  North  ;  to  the  great  accuracy  and  power  of  their  fire  it  is 
owing  that  we  had  not  to  confront  a  formidable  artillery  in  the 
assault,  and  that  we  were  able,  with  but  little  loss,  to  push  for- 
ward the  men,  preparatory  to  it,  to  a  point  nearly  as  favorable 
for  it  as  the  one  they  would  have  occupied  had  siege  operations 
been  undertaken  and  the  work  systematically  approached.  The 
assault  of  the  sailors  and  Marines,  although  it  failed,  undoubt- 
edly contributed  somewhat  to  our  success,  and  certainly  nothing 
could  surpass  the  perfect  skill  with  which  the  fleet  was  handled 
by  its  commander." 

After  the  engagement,  five  officers  of  the  Corps  were  recom- 


1 86        The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry. 

mended  for  gallantry  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  by  Admiral 
Porter ;  viz.,  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson  and  George  Butler,  and 
First  Lieutenants  William  Wallace,  Charles  F.  Williams,  and 
Louis  E.  Fagan. 

Lieutenant-commander  Parker,  in  his  report  to  Admiral 
Porter,  mentions  Captain  George  Butler  and  Lieutenant  William 
Wallace  as  being  at  the  front.  Commodore  S.  W.  Godon,  com- 
manding the  Susquehanna,  said:  "Lieutenant  Wallace  was 
wounded  severely  in  the  charge  on  the  fort.  I  particularly 
regret  the  injury  to  this  officer,  as  he  cannot  well  be  replaced 
by  his  Corps  in  the  affections  of  this  ship."  The  following  is  an 
extract  from  the  report  of  Fleet  Captain  K.  R.  Breese  :  "  I  wish 
to  bear  witness  to  the  handsome  manner  in  which  Lieutenant 
Fagan  of  the  Marine  Corps  did  his  duty  with  his  sharpshooters, 
and  to  the  gallantry  he  exhibited  in  advancing  his  men  so  close 
to  the  enemy's  works."  Lieutenant-commander  F.  B.  Blake,  of 
the  Susquehanna,  says  :  "  We  had  fourteen  wounded ;  among 
them,  I  regret  to  state,  Lieutenant  Wallace,  whose  gallantry  was 
conspicuous,  especially  in  his  efforts  to  rally  his  men."  The 
bravery  and  efficient  service  of  a  young  man  who  at  the  time 
held  a  clerkship,  won  for  him  a  commission  in  the  Marines,  and 
the  Corps  is  indebted  to  the  work  of  that  day  for  the  honor  of 
bearing  on  its  rolls  the  name  of  Lieutenant  Porter.  The  reports 
of  the  officers  of  the  various  vessels  bear  testimony  to  the 
nature  of  the  services  rendered  by  those  Marines  who  did  not 
land.  Commodore  J.  F.  Schenck,  commanding  the  Powhattan, 
said :  "  It  is  due  to  the  Marines  of  this  ship,  and  to  their  com- 
mander, First  Lieutenant  F.  H.  Corrie,  that  the  utmost  alacrity 
and  cheerfulness  was  shown  in  the  performance  of  their  duty." 

The  list  of  officers  of  the  Corps  attached  to  vessels  in  this 
engagement  was  as  follows :  Colorado,  Captain  L.  L.  Dawson 
and  First  Lieutenant  E.  P.  Meeker  \  Minnesota,  Captain  George 
Butler  ;  Brooklyn,  Captain  G.  P.  Houston  ;  Vanderbilt,  First 
Lieutenant  W.  H.  Parker ;  Powhattan,  First  Lieutenant  F.  H. 
Corrie  ;  New  Ironsides,  First  Lieutenant  R.  S.  Collum,  and  Sec- 


"   The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry.       187 

ond  Lieutenant  A.  B.  Young;  Susquehanna,  First  Lieutenant 
William  Wallace  ;  Ticonderoga,  First  Lieutenant  C.  F.  Williams  ; 
Wabash,  First  Lieutenant  L.  E.  Fagan.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  the  killed  and  wounded  and  missing:  From  the  Colorado, 
killed  in  the  assault,  Privates  Andrew  Munn,  William  Thomas 
and  Patrick  Caine  ;  wounded  in  the  assault,  Sergeant  Daniel 
Kelley.  Minnesota,  killed  in  the  assault,  Privates  Daniel  O'Neil 
and  William  Burke  ;  wounded  in  the  assault,  Corporal  Thomas, 
OLeary,  Privates  Joseph  Simmerman,  John  Calhoun,  Edward 
O'Brien,  William  Duggan,  and  Nathaniel  O'Donnell.  Pow- 
hattan,  missing,  Corporal  Rulon,  Musician  Bourke ;  Privates 
Benson,  Wasmuth,  Hicks  and  O'Brien,  2nd ;  wounded  in  the 
assault,  Corporal  Abijah  Ball,  Privates  Owen  Daly,  James  Conan, 
James  Casgriff,  Patrick  O'Donnel,  Will  Kegsl,  and  Frank  Alick. 
Susquehanna,  killed  in  the  assault,  Privates  Thomas  Brennan, 
N.  S.  Minkoff;  wounded  in  the  assault,  First  Lieutenant  Wil- 
liam Wallace,  Corporal  White  Henlett,  and  Private  John  Costello. 
Santiago  de  Cuba,  wounded  in  the  assault,  Privates  James 
Sherry,  Charles  McCarty,  and  John  Mahan.  Wabash,  wounded 
in  the  assault,  Privates  William  Daly  (since  dead),  Esek  Bailey, 

and Moran ;  Privates  George  Brown  and Scanlan,  by 

explosion  of  magazine  in  Fort  Fisher.  Shenandoah,  killed  in  the 
assault,  Private  Charles  Jones.  Ticonderoga,  killed  by  explo- 
sion in  Fort  Fisher,  Private  Charles  Colcord.  Brooklyn, 
wounded  in  the  assault,  Private  James  Jackson.  Tuscarora, 
wounded  in  the  assault,  Corporal  A.  Collum,  and  Private  J.  B. 
Jenkins.  Rhode  Island,  wounded  in  the  assault,  Private  John 
Daisy.  Mohican,  wounded  in  the  assault,  Sergeant  Oscar 
Smith,  Corporal  John  Graham,  Privates  John  L.  Russell, 
Stephen  Moore,  and  by  the  explosion  in  Fort  Fisher,  Privates 
William  F.  Ryan  and  Richard  Broderick.  Osceola,  wounded 
in  the  assault,  Private  William  Williams.  Juniata,  killed  in  the 
assault,  Private  Edward  Brennan ;  wounded,  Private  John 
Redden.  Maratanza,  wounded  in  the  assault,  Private  Charles 
Sullivan. 


188        The  Final  Successful  Attack  by  Porter  and  Terry. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Marines  who  received  honorable 
mention  on  the  Ticonderoga :  Orderly  Sergeant  Isaac  N.  Fry, 
"recommended  for  coolness,  good  conduct  and  skill  as  captain 
of  a  gun."  Shenandoah,  Privates  Charles  Smith,  Adolph  Bur- 
ton, Wilmer  D.  Lyne,  James  Whyte,  and  Thomas  S.  Brown, 
mentioned  "for  gallant  conduct  in  the  assault.  Minnesota, 
Corporal  John  Rannahan  and  Privates  John  Shivers  and  Henry 
Thompson  "  behaved  bravely." 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

1864    TO     1870.  SOME     OF     THE    FIGHTING     DURING     THE    LAST 

PART   OF   THE   WAR. THE    GREAT     FIRE    IN    PORTLAND,    ME. 

THE    RANK    OF     BRIGADIER-GENERAL    CREATED    FOR    THE 

COMMANDANT   OF   THE    CORPS.  FIGHT   AT    FORMOSA,  ETC. 

ON  the  28th  of  November,  1864,  Admiral  Dahlgren  began 
arrangements  for  a  joint  Army  and  Navy  movement, 
cooperating  with  General  Foster  to  establish  connection  with 
General  Sherman.  The  operations  continued  till  the  evacuation 
of  Charleston,  in  the  following  February.  The  Marines  from 
the  vessels  of  the  South  Atlantic  Squadron  who  were  to  partici- 
pate in  the  affair  were  placed  under  command  of  Lieutenant  G. 
G.  Stoddard.  The  squadron,  consisting  of  nine  vessels,  moved 
up  Broad  river  at  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  29th. 
Twenty  miles  of  groping  in  a  heavy  fog  brought  the  vessels  to 
the  designated  landing  place,  and  the  work  of  disembarkation 
began.  In  less  than  half  an  hour,  the  two  batteries  of  Navy 
howitzers,  with  the  nine  companies  of  Marines  and  sailors, 
were  landed,  formed  and  advanced,  under  Commander  Preble, 
in  skirmishing  order,  guns  and  men.  Meanwhile,  troops  in 
transports  arrived  and  began  to  debark.  General  Foster 
arrived  about  two  p.  m.,  having  been  misled  in  the  fog, 
and  transports  continued  to  arrive  with  troops  and  artillery 
through  the  day.  The  confederates  seemed  to  be  entirely 
surprised.  General  Foster  returned  to  Port  Royal  about  four 
p.  m.  ;  and,  as  matters  below  required  attention,  Admiral  Dahl- 
gren also  left  in  the  evening. 
189 


190  Fighting  During  the  Last  Part  of  the   War. 

On  the  30th,  the  advance  was  made  directly  upon  and 
towards  the  railroad  above  Grahamsville.  The  enemy  had, 
however,  by  this  time  collected  in  force,  and  was  impeding  the 
march  of  the  troops  by  musketry  and  a  few  small  pieces,  but 
the  advance  continued  until  General  Hatch,  who  commanded, 
found  further  progress  barred  by  a  work  which  looked  upon 
the  road,  and  was  covered  on  the  flanks  by  heavy  woods  and 
other  obstructions.  The  general  assaulted  the  work,  and  was 
repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  The  fleet  brigade  did  its  duty  fully, 
and  rendered  good  service.  The  enemy  did  not  attempt  to 
come  out  from  his  position,  and  General  Hatch  drew  off  at  his 
leisure,  and  fell  back  to  a  more  convenient  position,  where  he 
remained. 

1865.  —  Frequent  reconnoissances  followed,  Admiral  Dahl- 
gren  and  General  Foster  acting  in  concert.  On  the  6th  of  the 
following  month,  a  successful  attack  was  made  on  the  enemy, 
near  the  mouth  of  Tuliflnny  Creek.  The  three  companies  of 
Marines  did  splendid  work  as  skirmishers  and  picket  guards. 
Commander  Preble,  who  was  in  command  of  the  naval  portion 
of  the  force,  says  of  the  Marines,  that  they  "  behaved  admirably 
in  camp  and  field."  General  Foster  continued  to  hold  the 
position  near  the  Tuliflnny.  With  his  concurrence,  Admiral 
Dahlgren  detached  the  fleet  brigade,  and  the  men  belonging  to 
it  returned  to  their  vessels. 

The  fleet  brigade,  under  Commander  Preble,  had  been  on  land 
duty  about  a  month,  and  behaved  in  such  a  manner  as  to  reflect 
credit  on  all,  from  its  brave  and  efficient  commander  to  the 
privates  in  the  ranks.  At  Boyd's  Neck  and  the  two  fights  at 
Tuliflnny  Cross-roads,  the  sturdy  blows  struck  by  the  Marines 
and  seamen  carried  dismay  and  defeat  into  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and 
missing  among  the  Marines  during  the  month's  service  on  land : 
November  30th,  in  action  at  Boyd's  Neck,  killed,  First  Sergeant 
Philip  Napp,  Company  B.  Wounded,  Company  A,  Private 
James  Walker  (mortally),  Patrick  Neilly,  and  Michael  Maloney ; 


Fighting  During  the  Last  Part  of  the   War.  191 

Company  B,  Sergeant  Philip  Clancy,  Corporal  John  Young, 
and  Private  William  Wilson.  Missing,  Company  B,  Private 
Robert  Joyce.  At  Tulifmny  Cross-roads,  December  6th  and  7th, 
wounded,  Company  C,  Sergeant  Edgar  Kermerer  ;  Company 
B,  Private  Thomas  Mallen.  Missing,  Company  C,  Private 
Charles  Brandt ;  Tulifinny  Cross-roads,  December  9th, 
Wounded,  Company  A,  Sergeant  R.  C.  Bates,  Private  James 
Gorman  ;  Company  B,  Sergeant  Christopher  Lutz,  Acting  First 
Lieutenant,  mortally,  left  on  the  field,  Privates  Robert  Kellon, 
Thomas  Quinn  and  William  Gordon ;  Company  C,  Corporal 
William  McMurray.  Steamer  Donegal,  Private  P.  W.  Wood 
drowned  December  10th.  Company  C,  Privates  Bernard  Dyer 
and  Manual  de  Jesus. 

The  following  despatch  from  Admiral  Dahlgren,  dated  on 
board  the  flag-ship  Harvest  Moon,  Rebellion  Roads,  Harbor  of 
Charleston,  February  18,  shows  the  progress  made  up  to  that 
date  :  "  Charleston  was  abandoned  this  morning  by  the  rebels. 
I  am  now  on  my  way  to  the  city."  On  the  26th  of  February, 
Admiral  Dahlgren  reported  to  the  Department  an  important 
result  of  the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged, — the  occupation 
of  Georgetown,  S.  C. ;  that  town  and  its  defences  having  been 
occupied  by  the  forces  under  his  command.  The  town  was 
held  by  six  companies  of  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  Stoddard, 
and  the  battery,  fifteen  guns,  by  one  company  of  Marines, 
under  Lieutenant  Breese.  First  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams 
of  the  Marines  was  ordered  to  the  battalion  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Stoddard,  and  remained  on  duty  with  it 
during  the  occupation  of  Georgetown. 

The  following  officers  of  the  Corps  were  attached  to  this 
squadron  during  the  year  1864  and  part  of  1865  :  First  Lieuten- 
ant George  G.  Stoddard,  First  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams, 
and  Second  Lieutenant  James  B.  Breese ;  in  the  East  Gulf 
Squadron  during  the  same  time,  First  Lieutenant  Eugene  A. 
Smalley;  West  Gulf  Squadron,  Second  Lieutenant  C.  L.  Sher- 
man. 


192  The  Great  Fire  in  Portland,  Me. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  Admiral  Pearson,  commanding  the 
Pacific  Squadron,  wrote  to  Commander  H.  K.  Davenport, 
saying  that  the  commander  of  the  American  steamer  Salvador 
had  stated  that  among  his  passengers  for  the  next  trip  from 
Panama  were  a  number  of  desperate  men,  bent  upon  taking 
his  vessel  after  leaving  her  moorings.  Commander  Davenport 
was  directed  to  go  on  board  this  vessel  with  a  sufficient  force, 
and,  in  the  event  of  a  difficulty,  to  protect  the  passengers  from 
harm.  For  the  further  protection  of  the  vessel  and  passengers 
against  these  supposed  pirates,  Admiral  Pearson  stated  that  he 
should  accompany  the  Salvador  to  sea  in  his  ship,  and,  should 
any  pirates  be  found  on  board,  the  commander  was  directed, 
when  beyond  the  legal  jurisdiction  of  the  government  of  New 
Grenada,  to  capture  them  and  convey  them  to  the  admiral's 
ship.  On  the  morning  of  the  ioth,  the  commander  left  his  ship 
with  four  armed  boats,  and  went  alongside  the  Pacific  Mail 
Steamship  Company's  steamer  Sacramento,  as  had  been  pre- 
viously agreed  upon  with  the  master  of  the  steamer  Safvador. 
He  subsequently  overhauled  and  boarded  the  Salvador.  By 
shrewd  management,  his  plan  was  entirely  successful,  and  he 
captured  the  whole  party  without  bloodshed.  In  his  report  of 
the  affair,  Admiral  Pearson  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of 
the  good  conduct  of  Captain  D.  M.  Cohen  of  the  Marines. 

Ig66.  —  A  fire  broke  out  in  the  city  of  Portland,  Me.,  late  on 
the  afternoon  of  July  4,  1866,  and  spread  with  such  fearful 
rapidity  that  in  a  very  brief  time  a  valuable  portion  of  the  city 
was  burned.  As  is  usually  the  case  in  times  of  public  distress 
or  excitement,  thieves  and  lawless  persons  from  other  cities 
gathered  in  Portland,  anticipating  a  rich  harvest  of  plunder 
from  the  effects  of  the  suffering  inhabitants.  The  city  became 
so  infested  with  these  birds  of  prey,  that,  on  the  evening  of  the 
6th,  it  was  determined  by  the  city  authorities  to  ask  for  military 
aid.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  a  telegram  was  sent  to 
,  the  commandant  of  the  Navy  Yard  at  Kittery,  Me.,  asking  for 
as  many  Marines  as  could  be  spared.     Promptly  on  receipt  of 


The  Great  Fire  in  Portland,  Me.  193 

the  despatch,  with  scarcely  an  hour's  warning  or  preparation, 
Lieutenant-colonel  James  H.  Jones  left  Portsmouth  in  command 
of  two  companies  of  Marines,  and  arrived  in  Portland  at  12.30 
p.  m.  Upon  arrival,  a  strong  line  of  sentinels  was  posted 
throughout  the  burned  district  and  in  other  avenues  of  the 
city ;  many  persons  were  arrested  and  quiet  soon  established. 
The  Marines  remained  on  duty  until  the  nth  of  July,  when 
they  returned  to  the  station.  Colonel  Jones,  his  officers  and 
men,  received  the  thanks  of  the  city  government,  in  a  series  of 
resolutions,  for  the  very  valuable  services  rendered  on  that 
occasion.  The  full  strength  of  the  battalion  was  as  follows : 
Lieutenant-colonel  J.  H.  Jones,  commanding;  first  company, 
Captain  John  Schermerhorn,  three  sergeants,  three  corporals, 
two  musicians  and  fifty  privates ;  second  company,  First  Lieu- 
tenant Henry  J.  Bishop,  two  sergeants,  two  corporals,  two 
musicians  and  fifty  privates.  It  is  related  of  Colonel  Jones,  as 
a  characteristic  incident,  that,  when  some  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  Portland,  finding  him  wrapped  in  a  blanket  and  reclining  at 
night  on  a  door  step,  urged  him  to  partake  of  their  hospitalities, 
he  bluntly  replied  that  his  men  were  obliged  to  take  up  with 
hard  fare,  and  what  was  good  enough  for  them  was  good  enough 
for  him. 

1867.  — In  the  latter  part  of  February,  1867,  by  Act  of  Con- 
gress, the  grade  of  colonel-commandant  was  abolished,  and 
that  of  brigadier-general  and  commandant  substituted.  Accord- 
ingly, on  the  2nd  of  March,  Colonel-commandant  J.  Zeilin  was 
commissioned  brigadier-general. 

At  the  time  of  the  raid  on  the  illegal  whiskey  establishments 
in  Philadelphia,  a  force  of  Marines,  consisting  of  about  one 
hundred  men,  under  command  of  Brevet  Major  L.  L.  Dawson, 
Brevet  Captain  Fagan  and  Lieutenant  Ford,  aided  the  civil 
authorities  in  preserving  the  peace,  and  in  protecting  the  offi- 
cers from  being  assaulted  by  the  mob. 

During  the  excitement  over  the  efforts  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
whiskey  men  to  defraud  the  government,  the  federal  officers 
13 


194  Fight  at  Formosa.  i 

called  on  the  commandant  at  the  Navy  Yard  for  aid  in  enforcing 
the  law.  In  accordance  with  this  call,  Brevet  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Broome  of  the  Marines,  with  four  companies,  was 
ordered  to  the  scene  of  the  troubles  at  Irishtown.  The  two 
companies  which  first  arrived  on  the  spot  were  commanded  by 
Brevet  Captain  William  Wallace  and  Second  Lieutenant  James 
B.  Breese.  The  other  companies,  which  left  the  barracks  at  a 
later  hour,  were  officered  by  Brevet  Major  G.  P.  Houston,  Cap- 
tain William  J.  Squires,  Brevet  Captain  E.  P.  Meeker,  and  First 
Lieutenant  Sherman.  The  duty  which  the  Marines  were  called 
to  execute  at  this  time  was  of  a  peculiarly  delicate  nature  ;  but 
their  courageous  bearing,  fine  discipline  and  gentlemanly  deport- 
ment, in  the  face  of  much  peril,  as  well  as  of  the  most  exciting 
provocation,  won  the  highest  commendation  alike  of  the  city 
authorities  and  the  federal  officials. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  Admiral  Bell,  in  accordance  with  instruc- 
tions, left  Shanghai  in  the  Hartford,  accompanied  by  the 
Wyoming,  Lieutenant  Commander  Carpenter  commanding,  for 
the  south  end  of  the  island  of  Formosa,  to  destroy,  if  possible, 
the  lurking  places  of  the  band  of#  savages  inhabiting  the  south- 
east end  of  that  island,  who  murdered,  the  preceding  March, 
the  shipwrecked  officers  and  crew  of  the  American  bark  Rover. 
The  landing  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  officers,  sailors  and 
Marines,  provided  with  four  days'  rations  and  water,  was  made 
on  the  13th,  under  the  command  of  Commander  G.  E.  Belknap 
of  the  Hartford,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  Commander  Alex- 
ander S.  McKenzie,  fleet  lieutenant,  as  second  in  command ; 
the  latter  earnestly  sought  to  go  on  the  expedition ;  but  his 
valor  was  rewarded  only  by  death,  as  he  was  killed  in  the 
fight.  In  the  terrible  heat,  and  surrounded  by  savages  in 
ambush,  the  Marines  and  sailors  fought  desperately,  burning  a 
number  of  native  huts,  and  chasing  the  warriors  until  they 
could  chase  them  no  longer,  though  at  a  grievous  cost  of  life. 

The  Marines  were  under  command  of  Captain  James  Forney, 
who  submitted  the   following  report  to  Commander  Belknap, 


Fight  at  Formosa.  195 

dated  on  board  the  flag-ship  Hartford,  at  sea,  June  17  :  "I  have 
the  honor  herewith  to  submit  a  brief  report,  of  the  part  taken 
by  the  Marines  on  the  13th  inst.,  on  the  island  of  Formosa. 
On  first  landing,  by  your  order,  I  took  charge  of  twenty  Marines, 
deploying  them  forward  as  skirmishers.  A  dense  and  almost 
impenetrable  thicket  of  bush  prevented  the  men  from  advancing 
very  rapidly.  I  penetrated  with  them  to  a  creek  about  half  a 
mile  from  the  beach,  without  meeting  with  any  of  the  enemy, 
and  was  then  recalled  for  further  orders.  You  then  instructed 
me  to  leave  a  sergeant  and  five  men  on  the  beach,  and  to 
advance  with  the  main  body,  headed  by  yourself.  In  conse- 
quence of  all  further  operations  coming  under  your  own 
observations,  I  have  nothing  further  to  report,  except  that  the 
men  behaved  gallantly,  and  deserve  credit  for  the  manner  in 
which  they  marched  over  such  a  rough  and  hilly  country,  and 
under  such  intense,  scorching  heat.  Orderly  Sergeant  Gotter- 
meyer  was  of  great  assistance  to  me  during  the  entire  day,  and 
deserves  favorable  mention.  A  few  of  the  men  were  struck 
down  by  the  oppressive  heat  of  the  sun,  but  were  not  seriously 
injured,  and  are  now  doing  their  usual  duty.  The  entire 
number  of  Marines  on  shore  was  forty-three,  thirty-one  of  whom 
were  from  this  ship,  and  twelve  from  the  Wyoming."  Having 
accomplished  all  that  was  possible,  Admiral  Bell  returned  to 
Takao  on  the  14th,  and  there  buried  the  remains  of  the  brave 
McKenzie  in  the  grounds  of  the  British  consulate. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

THE    CAPTURE    OF     RAPHAEL     SEMMES. AN    INTERESTING    AND 

IMPORTANT    CHAPTER    FROM    THE    SECRET    HISTORY   OF   THE 
WAR. 

ABOUT  the  ist  of  December,  1865,  on  returning  to  his 
station  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  from  which  he  had  been 
absent  a  few  days,  Lieutenant  L.  P.  French  of  the  Marines 
found  a  telegram  awaiting  him,  directing  him  "  to  report  in  per- 
son without  a  moment's  delay  to  the  Secretary  of  the  N'avy." 
He  lost  no  time  in  complying  with  this  mysterious  summons, 
which  had  created  no  little  excitement  among  the  officers  at 
the  Yard,  and  on  arrival  at  Washington  he  found  much  curiosity 
aroused  among  the  officers  there  in  regard  to  the  matter.  He 
was  soon  ordered,  under  injunctions  of  the  strictest  secrecy, 
by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  to  prepare  at  once  to  find  and 
arrest  Raphael  Semmes,  the  commander  of  the  Alabama.  He 
was  directed  to  select  a  sufficient  force  from  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  of  the  Corps  to  accompany  him,  to  give  all  neces- 
sary aid  and  protection.  After  making  a  suitable  selection,  he 
reported  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  as  ready  for  final  in- 
structions. The  Secretary  gave  him  an  order  to  proceed  to 
Vicksburg  or  elsewhere,  wherever  he  might  find  Semmes,  and 
return  with  him  to  Washington.  On  receiving  this  order,  the 
question  arose  as  to  whether  it  was  not  in  excess  of  the  au- 
thority of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  as  Semmes  was  no  longer 
a  naval  officer,  and  if  upon  land  in  the  locality  where  he  was 
supposed  to  be,  he  was  under  military  jurisdiction ;  especially  as 
196 


The  Capture  of  Raphael  Semmes.  197 

he  had  been  paroled  as  a  brigadier-general  of  the  confederate 
service.  The  order  was,  therefore,  taken  to  Mr.  Stanton,  the 
Secretary  of  War,  and  by  him  endorsed  as  follows  :  "  All  officers 
subject  to  the  orders  of  the  War  Department  will  render  Lieu- 
tenant French  whatever  aid  he  may  deem  necessary  to  execute 
the  within  order.  (Signed,)  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of 
War." 

Equipped  with  this  order,  and  with  charges  and  specifications 
duly  setting  forth  the  offences  for  which  it  was  proposed  to 
try  Semmes,  Lieutenant  French  proceeded  as  directed.  On 
reaching  Louisville,  Ky.,  he  was  led  to  believe  that  Semmes 
was  not  at  Vicksburg.  He,  however,  proceeded  down  the 
Mississippi,  stopping  at  Memphis,  where  his  views  were  con- 
firmed, and  upon  going  to  Vicksburg,  he  found  that  Semmes 
had  not  been  there  for  several  months,  nor  could  he  gain  any 
tidings  of  him.  He  continued  on  down  the  river,  but  learned 
nothing  of  Semmes'  whereabouts  until  he  reached  New  Orleans. 
There  he  met  Major  Lovell,  the  efficient  provost  marshal  general 
on  General  Canby's  staff.  It  was  learned  from  him  that  Semmes 
had  been  in  New  Orleans  a  few  weeks  before,  and  had  gone, 
as  was  thought,  to  Mobile,  where  it  was  understood  his  family 
resided.  French  proceeded  directly  to  that  place,  and  a  few 
moments  after  leaving  the  steamer,  met  the  object  of  his  search 
in  the  street.  Although  he  had  never  seen  Semmes  before,  no 
one  who  had  ever  seen  his  photograph  could  possibly  mistake 
him.  As  he  had  not  announced  his  arrival  or  the  object  of 
his  mission  to  the  military  authority  of  the  place,  he  deferred 
making  the  arrest  until  he  had  conferred  with  the  officer  in 
command.  He  soon  had  reason  to  regret  this  delay,  for 
although  he  made  all  haste  to  report  himself  to  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  Department,  and  to  acquaint  him  with  the  purpose 
of  the  visit,  during  the  time  thus  occupied  Semmes  left  the  city, 
as  he  was  doubtless  about  to  do  when  the  lieutenant  met  him. 
Lieutenant  French  had  been  thrown  off  his  guard  in  this  par- 
ticular by  being  informed,  very  positively,  that  Semmes'  home 


198  The  Capture  of  Raphael  Semmes. 

was  in  the  city.  But  it  was  found  that  he  resided  some  miles 
out  of  town.  Lieutenant  French  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  find 
that  few  even  of  the  Army  officers  seemed  at  all  familiar  with 
the  history  of  Semmes,  or  the  fact  that  he  had  played  a  very 
conspicuous  part  in  the  great  war  drama  just  then  at  its  close. 

After  availing  himself  of  every  means  of  information  that 
could  be  obtained  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  he  became  satisfied 
that  the  Spring  Hill  road,  where  it  was  said  Semmes  lived,  was 
not  honored  by  the  residence  of  that  distinguished  individual. 
Fearing  that  to  delay  and  await  his  return  might  put  further 
off  his  arrest,  French  determined  to  find  him  that  night,  if  pos- 
sible. It  was  2.30  p.  m.  when  he  arrived  in  Mobile,  but,  although 
he  did  not  allow  himself  a  moment  for  refreshment,  darkness 
had  already  set  in.  The  force  to  be  taken  with  him  was  left 
to  his  discretion,  and  he  took  a  guard  of  about  thirty  men,  and 
ordered  three  carriages,  in  one  of  which  were  two  sergeants, 
who  had  accompanied  him  from  Washington,  and  a  detective. 
He  was  not  long  in  discovering  that  the  information  which  the 
detective  furnished  "sprang  from  an  over-vivid  imagination." 
He  therefore  reduced  the  otherwise  useless  individual  to  the 
rank  of  driver,  and  substituted  an  intelligent  contraband  in 
his  place.  After  driving  out  on  the  road  referred  to,  and 
making  many  inquiries,  a  man  was  finally  found  who  had 
heard  of  this  noted  privateersman.  He  informed  Lieutenant 
French  that  Semmes  resided  some  six  or  seven  miles  out  of  the 
city,  on  the  Durham  road.  To  reach  this  road  they  had  to 
retrace  their  steps  some  two  miles  to  a  cross-road,  and  by  a  cir- 
cuitous route  the  Durham  road  was  finally  reached.  The 
night  was  cloudy  and  the  darkness  intense,  and,  as  the  military 
authorities  at  Mobile  were  under  the  impression  that  the  country 
round  about  the  city  was  still  infested  by  guerrillas,  the  guard 
that  accompanied  the  expedition  felt  a  good  deal  of  trepidation. 
Following  the  direction  of  the  new-found  guide,  Lieutenant 
French  proceeded  along  the  road  some  two  or  three  miles,  and 
finally  reached  a  gate  at  the  foot  of  an  avenue  leading  to  the 
house  where  Semmes  lived. 


The  Capture  of  Raphael  Semmes.  1 99 

Taking  the  contraband  and  the  two  sergeants  of  Marines 
with  him,  French  groped  his  way  up  the  dark  avenue,  some 
sixty  rods,  to  the  house.  He  rapped  at  the  door,  and  a  little  girl, 
some  twelve  or  fourteen  years  of  age,  opened  it.  He  inquired 
if  Captain  Semmes  was  at  home.  She  answered  that  he  was, 
when  French  turned  to  the  colored  man  and  told  him  to  go 
down  to  the  carriages  and  send  up  the  guard.  The  little  girl 
was  alarmed  at  seeing  the  men  ;  she  hastily  shut  the  door,  and 
ran  through  the  hail.  Lieutenant  French  quickly  opened  the 
door,  and  saw  her  enter  a  door  at  the  end  of  the  hall.  Presum- 
ing that  she  ran  directly  to  her  father,  he  approached  the  door 
and  knocked,  and  was  greeted  by  a  gruff  voice,  telling  him  to 
come  in. 

On  entering  the  room  he  recognized  Semmes.  Introducing 
himself,  he  said,  "  I  am  Lieutenant  French  of  the  Marine 
Corps,  and  am  here,  by  orders  of  the  Navy  Department,  to 
present  you  with  this  order,"  handing  him  the  order  for  his 
arrest. 

Semmes  took  it  with  evident  astonishment,  and,  seating  himself 
by  a  table,  scanned  the  document  with  the  greatest  interest. 
After  deliberating  for  a  few  minutes,  he  turned  to  French,  and, 
in  a  contemptuous  manner,  said,  "  Well,  sir,  what  are  your 
orders  in  the  premises  ? "  French  replied,  u  For  you  to  get 
ready  to  start  for  Mobile  with  me  in  five  minutes."  Semmes 
rose  from  his  seat,  and  demanded  to  know  if  General  Woods, 
the  general  in  command  of  the  Department,  knew  of  this 
"  outrage  "  being  perpetrated. 

French  asked,  "What  outrage  ? "  He  said,  "  Tearing  me  from 
the  bosom  of  my  family  in  this  summary  and  violent  manner." 
French  replied,  "1  know  of  no  one  more  familiar  with  summary 
proceedings  than  yourself,  and,  although  General  Woods  has 
been  informed  that  you  are  to  be  arrested,  it  could  make  no 
difference ;  my  orders,  as  you  have  seen,  are  from  a  higher 
authority." 

At  this  moment  Semmes'  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  three 


2oo  *       The  Capture  of  Raphael  Semmes. 

grown  daughters,  a  son  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  the  little 
girl,  rushed  into  the  room,  the  ladies  much  agitated.  The 
lieutenant  began  to  re-assure  them,  when  Semmes  ordered 
his  family  all  out  of  the  room,  and  commanded  them  to  be 
quiet.  Not  knowing  but  that  they  might  appeal  to  their  neigh- 
bors, if  they  had  any,  or  some  power  that  would  interfere 
with  the  object  of  his  mission,  French  inquired  of  Semmes 
if  his  friends  would  attempt  to  interfere  with  his  arrest. 
He  replied,  very  emphatically,  "  No,  sir  !  it  is  enough  for  my 
family  and  my  friends  to  know  that  the  United  States  government 
orders  this."  He  then  requested  to  be  allowed  until  ten  o'clock 
the  next  morning  to  make  preparations  for  his  journey.  This 
was  finally  conceded,  but  when  informed  that  he  must  select  his 
room,  and  remain  in  it  under  guard,  his  temper  again  forsook 
him,  and  he  protested  violently  against  what  he  termed  "  a  gross 
outrage  "  to  perpetrate  on  an  officer  of  his  rank,  claiming  that 
his  parole  should  be  accepted.  Lieutenant  French  replied  that 
he  did  not  concede  to  his  prisoner  any  military  or  naval  rank 
whatever,  and  should  treat  him  accordingly,  and  that  his  treat- 
ment would  be  measured  only  by  his  good  behavior.  Semmes 
then  went  to  his  room,  and  French  proceeded  to  station  a  guard 
in  and  about  his  house. 

Nothing  occurred  worthy  of  note  until  the  appointed  time  on 
the  following  morning,  when  Semmes  took  his  departure  with 
his  captor  for  Mobile,  where  they  took  the  steamer  for  New 
Orleans.  Lieutenant  French  was  urged  by  the  military  author- 
ities to  take  a  large  guard  as  far  as  New  Orleans,  as  they  antic- 
ipated that  the  fact  of  the  arrest  would  be  telegraphed  there, 
and  that  the  friends  of  Semmes  might  rally  and  attempt  to 
rescue  him.  But  French's  interview,  while  at  New  Orleans, 
with  Major  Lovell,  convinced  him  that  the  discipline  in  that 
city  was  too  efficient  to  permit  any  thing  of  the  kind.  Nor 
was  he  in  this  regard  mistaken,  for  although  when  they  reached 
the  city  the  depot  was  surrounded  by  a  crowd,  no  effort  was 
made  to  rescue  the  prisoner. 


The  Capture  of  Raphael  Semmes.  201 

At  Semmes'  request,  French  drove  with  him  at  once  to 
General  Canby's  headquarters,  as  Semmes  wished  to  see  that 
officer  and  entreat  that  he  should  not  be  locked  up  in  a  prison, 
of  which  he  seemed  to  be  in  greater  dread  than  of  any  thing 
else.  On  reaching  Canby's  headquarters,  and  being  shown  into 
a  reception  room,  French  entered  the  parlor  and  informed 
General  Canby  of  the  object  of  the  visit.  General  Canby 
returned  with  him  to  the  reception  room,  when  French  said  : 
"  General  Canby,  this  is  Captain  Semmes."  Semmes,  on  rising 
and  bowing  to  the  general,  said,  very  imperiously,  "  Admiral 
Semmes,  if  you  please,  sir  !  "  The  general  returned  his  salute 
with  only  a  dignified  bow.  Either  from  the  failure  to  have  his 
rank  and  title  recognized  in  accordance  with  his  demand,  or 
moved  by  the  dignified  manner  of  General  Canby,  or  possibly 
by  a  realization  of  his  position,  the  prisoner  was  much  embar- 
rassed and  ill  at  ease.  General  Canby  remarked  that  he  would 
not  interfere  with  any  disposition  that  French  desired  to  make 
of  the  prisoner,  and  so  the  interview  terminated.  French  took 
Semmes  to  the  St.  Charles  hotel,  to  await  the  sailing  of  the 
steamer  for  New  York,  three  days  after. 

The  trip  to  New  York  was  without  incident,  and  upon  arrival 
at  Washington,  Semmes  was  delivered  to  the  commandant  of  the 
Navy  Yard  in  that  city. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

1870.  —  CAPTURE   OF   A    PRIZE   VESSEL. THE  WHISKEY  RAIDS    AT 

BROOKLYN,    N.    Y. VALUABLE  SERVICES  OF  THE  MARINES  IN 

AIDING   THE   REVENUE   OFFICERS. 

ON  the  6th  of  June,  information  was  received  by  the 
United  States  consul  at  Mazatlan,  from  the  consul  at 
Guaymas,  Mexico,  that  the  steamer  Forward,  bearing  the  San 
Salvador  flag,  had  landed  between  one  hundred  and  two  hundred 
men  of  different  nationalities,  who  had  taken  possession  of  and 
robbed  the  Custom-house,  forced  the  foreign  merchants  to  con- 
tribute funds  and  goods  to  a  large  amount,  compelled  the  United 
States  consul,  under  protest,  to  supply  coal  for  the  steamer,  and 
committed  other  outrages.  On  learning  these  facts,  Commander 
W.  W.  Low  of  the  Mohican,  at  Mazatlan,  immediately  made 
preparations  for  getting  under  way,  it  being  reported  that  the 
Forward  was  still  in  the  Gulf  of  California.  A  few  days  later, 
the  Forward  was  captured  and  burned  in  the  harbor  of  Boca 
Teacapan,  a  place  about  half  way  between  Mazatlan  and  San 
Bias.  The  destruction  of  the  piratical  craft  was  accomplished 
by  the  Marines  and  sailors  of  the  Mohican  in  six  boats,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Brownson,  who  in  his  report  mentions, 
among  others,  the  conduct  of  First  Sergeant  Philip  Moore  and 
Corporal  F.  Moulton  of  the  Marines  as  deserving  special 
notice. 

Accompanying  the  important  Darien  exploring  expedition  of 
the  year,  under  Commander  Thomas  O.  Selfridge  of  the  Navy, 
was  a  force  of  sixty  Marines,  under  Brevet  Major  George  P. 
202 


The   Whiskey  Raids  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  203 

Houston.  Although  the  mission  was  one  of  a  peaceful  nature, 
the  detachment  had  the  honor  to  serve  in  an  expedition  whose 
results  were  of  great  importance  to  the  commercial  interests  of 
the  world,  under  a  naval  officer  who  has  done  more  to  solve  the 
great  problem  of  inter-oceanic  communication  than  has  been 
accomplished  by  any  one  else. 

1870.  —  On  the  25th  of  March,  1870,  Brevet  Lieutenant- 
colonel  J.  L.  Broome,  commanding  the  Marine  barracks  at  the 
Brooklyn  Navy  Yard,  received  a  communication  from  Rear 
Admiral  S.  W.  Godon,  to  the  effect  that  the  latter  had  been  ap- 
plied to  by  the  assistant  assessor  of  the  Third  New  York  District 
for  a  force  of  Marines,  to  assist  the  United  States  Internal 
Revenue  officers  in  seizing  and  destroying  a  number  of  illicit 
distilleries.  Colonel  Broome  was  ordered  to  prepare  a  force  of 
at  least  one  hundred  men,  and  as  many  more  as  he  could  con- 
veniently spare  for  the  purpose,  and  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments with  Assistant  Assessor  J.  B.  Wass  to  carry  out  the  law 
for  the  suppression  of  the  illegal  operations,  affording  every 
protection  to  the  assessors.  In  obedience  to  the  order,  he 
arranged  with  the  assistant  assessor  to  accompany  him  to  "  Irish- 
town,"  on  the  28th,  for  the  purpose  of  affording  protection  to  the 
United  States  Revenue  officers.  The  Marines,  when  joined  by 
a  detachment  from  the  United  States  receiving  ship  Vermont, 
numbered  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  men.  This  force  was, 
with  loaded  muskets  and  forty  rounds  of  ball  cartridges  per 
man,  in  readiness  to  leave  the  barracks  at  the  appointed  time. 
Colonel  Broome  and  his  command  left  the  barracks  in  fine 
military  style,  accompanied  by  the  Internal  Revenue  offi- 
cers. They  proceeded  to  Irishtown,  where  a  large  crowd  of 
rioters  had  assembled.  The  mob  greeted  the  Marines  with  yells 
and  shouts  of  defiance,  crying  out,  "  Irishtown  is  ready  for  you  !  " 
'•  The  rangers  will  warm  you  !  "  etc.  Some  stones  were  thrown 
at  this  time,  but  no  one  was  injured.  On  arriving  at  Plymouth 
street,  the  immediate  neighborhood  was  occupied  by  the  Marines. 
The  mob  was  violent,  and  stones,  brick-bats,  etc.,  began  to  fly 


204         Valuable  Services  in  Aiding  the  Revenue  Officers. 

rapidly.  One  of  these  missiles,  evidently  thrown  at  the  Marines, 
struck  a  police  officer  on  the  head,  injuring  him  severely.  At 
this,  Colonel  Broome  made  a  slight  demonstration  with  the 
command,  which  seemed  to  remind  the  mob  that  a  continuance 
of  their  proceedings  might  be  attended  with  some  danger  to 
themselves,  for  they  became  in  a  measure  quiet,  and  showed 
evident  signs  of  timidity.  Bricks  and  stones,  however,  after 
this  were  thrown  at  intervals  from  the  house-tops.  In  the 
meantime,  while  the  Marines  were  subjected  to  these  annoyances 
in  the  street,  the  Internal  Revenue  officers  were  engaged  in  de- 
stroying a  large  illicit  distillery.  When  this  was  accomplished, 
the  command  moved  to  another  distillery,  which  was  soon  put 
out  of  working  order  by  the  Internal  Revenue  officers.  The 
assessors,  having  accomplished  all  they  intended  for  the  day, 
were  escorted  to  a  locality  half  a  mile  from  Irishtown,  followed 
by  a  crowd  of  ruffians,  who  were  cursing  and  abusing  them  all 
the  way.  The  Revenue  officers,  supposing  that  they  no  longer 
required  protection,  wheeled  out  of  column,  and  had  proceeded 
up  Myrtle  Avenue  a  short  distance,  when  the  mob  rushed  after 
them.  Colonel  Broome  made  a  movement  to  assist  the  Reve- 
nue officers,  seeing  which  the  mob  scattered  rapidly.  First 
Lieutenant  Henry  J.  Bishop  was  on  duty  at  the  place  where 
most  of  the  disturbance  occurred,  and  was  very  energetic  and 
efficient  in  the  performance  of  his  duties.  The  thanks  of  the 
numerous  officers  were  duly  presented  to  Colonel  Broome,  and 
the  conduct  of  the  Marines  was  mentioned  in  the  most  compli- 
mentary terms  by  General  McDowell. 

On  the  2nd  and  3rd  of  November,  of  the  same  year,  Colonel 
Broome  and  his  men  were  again  called  on  for  a  similar  duty. 
The  Marines  numbered  two  hundred  and  forty-five  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers,  and  privates,  and  were  employed  in  pro- 
tecting the  officers  of  the  Internal  Revenue  department  while 
engaged  in  Irishtown,  in  seizing  and  breaking  up  illicit  stills. 
The  Marines  were  employed  in  those  localities  where  the  people 
were  most  unruly,  and  it  became  necessary,  in  consequence  of 


Valuable  Services  in  Aiding  the  Reve?iue  Officers.        205 

the  mob  stoning  the  men,  to  charge  upon  the  rioters  on  two  oc- 
casions, occupy  the  roofs  and  upper  stories  of  many  houses, 
tear  down  fences,  etc.,  all  of  which  was  promptly  done  by  the 
Marines.  In  consequence  of  Captain  and  Brevet  Major  Parker, 
Captain  Joseph  F.  Baker  and  First  Lieutenant  L.  P.  French 
all  being  on  the  sick  list,  Colonel  Broome  was  deprived  of  their 
services.  He  was,  however,  ably  assisted  by  Captain  and 
Brevet  Major  G.  B.  Houston,  First  Lieutenant  and  Brevet  Cap- 
tain E.  B.  Meeker,  First  Lieutenant  F.  D.  Webster,.  First  Lieu- 
tenant E.  R.  Robinson,  and  Second  Lieutenant  G.  C.  Goodloe, 
who  did  all  they  could  to  make  the  duty  they  were  engaged  in  a 
success,  and  all  deserved  great  credit.  It  became  necessary  in 
some  instances  to  place  detachments  in  charge  of  Orderly  Ser- 
geant James  W.  Buckley,  Sergeant  Thomas  B.  Isham,  and  Ser- 
geant Ethelbert  Reese,  William  Stanly,  and  Rudolph  Bamberg, 
who  performed  their  duty  well. 

In  a  communication  from  General  Zeilin,  commandant  of  the 
Corps,  to  Colonel  Broome,  dated  at  Headquarters,  Marine  Corps, 
Washington,  D.  C,  November  27th,  the  general  said:  "I  ac- 
knowledge the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  14th  inst., 
enclosing  copies  of  letters  of  thanks  and  commendations  of 
Supervisor  L.  B.  Dutcher  and  the  colonel  commanding  troops 
during  the  recent  operations  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  etc.  I  have 
read  with  peculiar  pleasure  and  satisfaction  the  testimony  borne 
by  these  authorities  as  to  the  valuable  services  rendered  by  the 
Marines  on  the  occasion  referred  to.  The  services  which  the 
officers  and  men  were  called  upon  to  perform  on  this  trying  oc- 
casion were  of  a  delicate  nature,  requiring  firmness  and  discre- 
tion. To  the  display  of  these  qualities  is  due  the  successful  and 
bloodless  result  of  these  operations.  I  highly  appreciate  your 
conduct  throughout  as  commanding  officer  of  the  Marines.  The 
ready  and  able  assistance  afforded  you  by  Captain  G.  P.  Houston, 
First  Lieutenants  E.  P.  Meeker,  Frank  D.  Webster,  E.  R. 
Robinson,  and  Second  Lieutenant  G.  C.  Goodloe,  as  well  as  by 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  is  deserving  of   the 


206         Valuable  Sendees  in  Aiding  the  Revenue  Officers. 

warmest    commendation,    and    reflects    credit    upon    all    con- 
cerned." 

1871.  — On  the  12th  and  13th  of  January,  1871,  the  services 
of  the  Marines  at  the  Brooklyn  Yard  were  again  called  into 
requisition  in  aiding  the  Revenue  officers  in  that  portion  of 
Brooklyn  known  as  Irishtown.  A  detachment  of  regulars  from 
the  Eighth  Infantry  was  also  employed.  On  the  12th,  two  large 
distilleries  were  broken  up,  and  in  accomplishing  this,  the  whole 
day  was  consumed.  On  the  next  day,  Brevet  Major-general 
Vogdes  of  the  Regulars  informed  Colonel  Broome  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  irregularity  of  some  of  the  soldiers,  he  desired 
that  the  Marines  should  be  exclusively  employed  in  protecting 
the  workmen  at  all  the  different  distilleries  in  Irishtown,  and 
also  to  guard  all  public  property  and  material  seized.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  arrangement,  the  Marines  were  formed  in 
guards,  occupied  all  distilleries  seized  in  Irishtown,  guarded  all 
the  material  seized  and  all  the  workmen  employed.  The  differ- 
ent guards  were  in  charge  of  Captain  and  Brevet  Major  G. 
Porter  Houston,  First  Lieutenant  and  Brevet  Captain  E.  P. 
Meeker,  First  Lieutenant  Erastus  R,  Robinson,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant S.  K.  Allen,  Second  Lieutenant  E.  T.  Bradford,  Second 
Lieutenant  G.  C.  Goodloe,  Second  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Smyser, 
Orderly  Sergeant  James  W.  Buckley,  Sergeant  William  Ring, 
Sergeant  Thomas  B.  Isham,  Sergeant  Morris  Clarrison,  Sergeant 
Howard  Fisher,  Sergeant  William  H.  Gardner,  and  Corporal 
James  Cassidy.  These  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers 
performed  their  duties  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  Revenue 
officers,  and  in  consequence  of  the  good  conduct  of  the  Marines 
on  this  occasion,  Colonel  Broome  was  directed  by  the  admiral 
commanding  the  station  to  express  to  them  his  high  appreciation 
of  their  good  conduct.  During  the  12th,  First  Lieutenant  F.  D. 
Webster,  attached  to  the  United  States  steamer  Tennessee,  was 
with  the  battalion  of  Marines,  and  with  the  officers  referred  to, 
did  all  that  was  necessary  to  assist  in  carrying  out  the  wishes  of 
the    United    States   Internal   Revenue    Department.     General 


Valuable  Services  in  Aiding  the  Revenue  Officers.        207 

Zeilin,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  Colonel  Broome's  report 
of  the  affair,  wrote  :  "  The  manner  in  which  these  delicate  duties 
were  performed  reflects  credit  upon  all  concerned,  and  meets 
with  my  entire  approbation." 

During  the  following  July,  Colonel  Broome's  men  were  once 
more  called  on  to  render  aid  to  the  civil  authorities,  who  were 
endeavoring  to  break  up  the  illicit  business  in  Irishtown.  At 
about  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  the  command 
proceeded  to  Irishtown,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  a  large  force 
of  United  States  officials,  under  General  James  Jordan,  while 
engaged  in  arresting  certain  desperadoes  and  proprietors  of  the 
illicit  stills.  General  Jordan  requested  Colonel  Broome  to  halt 
the  Marines  in  the  Navy  Yard  near  the  York  street  gate  until 
he  should  require  their  assistance,  which  was  done.  The 
colonel  then  proceeded  with  the  Revenue  officers  out  of  the 
Navy  Yard  to  Dixon's  Alley,  each  party  of  officers  proceeding 
to  the  posts  assigned.  The  party  at  the  entrance  of  or  near 
Dixon's  Alley  had  been  there  but  a  few  minutes,  when,  to 
the  surprise  of  all,  a  rapid  fire  from  different  points  was 
opened  on  them  from  men  who  were  lying  flat  in  the  street 
'  or  hidden  in  areas  of  houses  and  in  wagons.  The  firing  had 
not  been  going  on  more  than  a  few  seconds,  when  Captain 
Clinton  Gilbert  fell,  mortally  wounded.  Major  Weeks  was 
wounded  in  the  hand,  and  another  officer  in  the  leg.  As  the 
party  were  hard  pushed,  Colonel  Broome  ordered  the  Marines  up 
immediately,  and  opened  on  the  gang  with  his  revolver.  In  a 
few  minutes  the  Marines,  under  Lieutenant  Welles,  made  their 
appearance,  on  the  double  quick.  The  affair  momentarily  grew 
exciting.  As  soon  as  the  ruffians  heard  the  Marines  coming, 
they  broke  at  a  run  and  hid  themselves  in  the  alleys  and  dens 
of  the  locality,  where  it  was  impossible  to  find  them.  Colonel 
Broome  then  placed  guards  at  all  important  points,  and  ordered 
all  the  residents  of  houses  to  leave  their  windows,  which  they 
did.  Guards  of  Marines  proceeded  to  different  parts  of  Irish- 
town,  and  protected  the  Revenue   officers  and   United  States 


208         Valuable  Services  in  Aiding  the  Revenue  Officers. 

marshals  while  engaged  in  forcing  open  houses  to  make  arrests. 
The  conduct  of  the  enlisted  men  on  the  occasion  of  this  raid 
was  admirable ;  and  First  Lieutenant  George  M.  Welles,  First 
Lieutenant  E.  R.  Robinson  and  Second' Lieutenant  Samuel  K. 
Allen,  who  composed  all  the  commissioned  officers  under  Colonel 
Broome,  performed  their  duty  exceedingly  well,  and  received  the 
warmest  thanks  of  the  civil  authorities.  The  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  men  was  subsequently  complimented  by  General 
Zeilin,  as  "  deserving  of  all  praise." 

In  the  following  September,  the  Revenue  officials  were  again 
in  need  of  armed  assistance,  and,  for  the  fourth  time,  the  Ma- 
rines at  the  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard  were  ordered  to  the  work. 
At  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Colonel  Broome  with  his 
men  proceeded  on  board  the  tug  Catalpa,  to  aid  General  J. 
Jordan,  assessor,  in  making  seizure  of  vessels  with  contraband 
whiskey  on  board.  The  tug  proceeded  first  to  Williamsburg, 
where  a  search  was  made  for  vessels  and  lighters  containing 
whiskey,  but  none  was  found.  Other  points  were  also  searched 
without  success.  At  the  first  appearance  of  daylight,  the  tug 
proceeded  to  Irishtown,  where  the  wharves  were  searched  for  a 
vessel  said  to  be  there  loading  with  whiskey  in  barrels,  but  the 
vessel  was  not  found.  The  information  that  a  vessel  was  there 
loading  with  whiskey  was  positive,  but  the  law-breakers  managed 
to  get  her  away. 

The  fifth  "whiskey  raid  "  in  which  Colonel  Broome  and  his 
men  were  engaged  was  on  the  17th  of  October.  The  Marines 
were  occupied  during  the  day  in  guarding  the  property  of  the 
illicit  distilleries  in  Irishtown,  and  in  protecting  and  escorting 
working  parties  and  Revenue  officers  from  one  locality  to 
another.  No  trouble  occurred  until  the  latter  part  of  the  day, 
at  which  time  a  gang  of  ruffians  attacked  a  small  party  of  Ma- 
rines, under  Lieutenant  Bradford,  with  stones,  wounding  Sergeant 
Casey.  This  gang  was  speedily  dispersed,  and  one  of  their 
number  arrested  and  turned  over  to  the  civil  authorities.  The 
seizures  made  on  this  occasion  were  very  extensive.     The  officers 


Valuable  Services  in  Aiding  the  Revenue  Officers.        209 

under  Colonel  Broome,  throughout  this  raid,  were  :  Captain  H.  A. 
Bartlett,  First  Lieutenant  Erastus  R.  Robinson,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Samuel  K.  Allen,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Edward  T. 
Bradford.  Lieutenant  Smyser  was  officer  of  the  guard  for  the 
security  of  prisoners. 


/ 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

!8yI#  THE      COREAN       EXPEDITION.  A      SURVEYING      PARTY 

FIRED   UPON   BY   THE    COREAN     FORTS. TERRIBLE    PUNISH- 
MENT    INFLICTED     ON     THE     COREANS.  THE     MARINES     IN 

ADVANCE. THE    FINAL   TRIUMPH. 

THE  American  Minister  to  China,  Mr.  Low,  having  been 
instructed,  in  187 1,  to  arrange  and  conclude,  if  possible,  a 
convention  with  Corea  for  the  protection  of  sailors  and  others 
shipwrecked  on  the  coast  of  that  country,  it  became  neces- 
sary that  he  should  put  himself  in  direct  communication 
with  the  authorities.  With  this  view,  and  with  the  assent  of 
the  authorities  of  China,  to  which  country  the  government  of 
Corea  was  tributary,  the  Minister  sailed,  in  May,  187 1,  from 
Nagasaki  to  Boisse'e  anchorage,  on  the  Salee  River  in  Corea,  in 
the  Colorado,  the  flag-ship  of  Rear  Admiral  Rodgers  command- 
ing the  Asiatic  fleet.  After  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  the 
anchorage,  and  after  communication  with  and  visits  from  the 
local  authorities,  the  Coreans  appeared  satisfied  that  the  expe- 
dition was  not  only  peaceful  but  friendly  in  its  objects.  A 
party  engaged  in  the  peaceful  object  of  making  surveys  and 
soundings,  in  the  interest  of  science,  and  for  the  safety  of  com- 
merce, with  the  understood  consent  of  the  authorities,  without 
protest  or  challenge  by  any  one,  passed  up  the  channel  to  a 
point  above  the  Corean  forts,  beyond  the  reach  of  assistance 
from  .  the  main  body  of  the  fleet.  This  party  was  suddenly 
and  treacherously  attacked  while  in  the  difficult  navigation  of 
an  unknown  passage  swept  by  strong  tides  and  filled  with 
210 


The  Corean  Expedition.  211 

hidden  rocks.  The  surveying  boats  were  obliged  to  repass  the 
forts,  under  a  fierce  fire  of  cannon  suddenly  opened  upon  them, 
and  maintained  with  spirit  and  energy.  The  small  vessels 
which  had  accompanied  the  party,  hurrying  into  action,  answered 
the  fire  of  the  forts,  and,  driving  the  Coreans  from  their  works, 
rescued  the  surveying  boats  from  danger,  with  only  two  of  our 
men  wounded. 

It  was  determined,  by  the  concurrent  judgment  of  the  Minis- 
ter and  Admiral  Rodgers,  that  an  explanation  should  be  at 
once  demanded,  and  that  ample  time  should  be  given  the 
Coreans  to  understand  the  situation  and  make  proper  repara- 
tion. This  was  done,  and  ten  days  were  allowed  to  pass, 
during  which  no  explanation  was  offered  by  the  Coreans.  An 
attack  was  then  planned  and  carried  out  upon  the  forts  and 
citadel  from  which  the  outrage  had  been  committed. 

The  work  which  followed  proved  the  most  important  engaged 
in  by  any  portion  of  the  Marine  Corps  since  the  close  of  the 
war.  On  the  10th  of  June,  the  Monocacy  and  Palos,  with  four 
steam  launches,  left  Boisse'e  Island,  and  proceeded  up  the  river 
Salee.  There  was  a  landing  party  of  six  hundred  and  eighty 
men.  Of  these,  one  hundred  and  five  rank  and  file  Marines, 
with  four  officers  from  the  Colorado,  Second  Lieutenant  VV:  J. 
Macdonald,  Jr.,  Alaska,  First  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Breese,  and 
Benicia,  First  Lieutenant  F.  A.  Mullany,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Tilton,  were  in  ships'  boats  in  tow  of  the  Palos 
and  Monocacy.  The  whole  force  was  under  the  orders  of 
Commander  Blake,  of  the  Alaska,  commander-in-chief.  One 
of  the  forts  opened  fire  on  them,  but  was  quickly  silenced 
by  the  fire  of  the  Palos  and  Monocacy,  under  cover  of  which 
the  Marines  promptly  cast  off,  and  pulled  for  the  shore.  They 
were  equipped  in  light  marching  order,  and  had  each  one 
hundred  rounds  of  ammunition  and  two  days'  rations.  They 
formed  the  advanced  guard  of  the  landing  party,  and  were 
followed  by  a  naval  brigade  under  Lieutenant-commander 
Casey,  including  seven  field  pieces  under  Lieutenant-commander 


212  A  Surveying  Party  Fired  Upon. 

Cassell.  Lieutenant-commander  Wheeler  was  Lieutenant-colonel 
of  battalion,  while  the  general  command  of  the  land  force  was 
entrusted  to  Captain  L.  A.  Kimberly.  Lieutenant-commander 
Picking  had  command  of  the  steam  launches.  The  general 
programme  was  that  the  Monocacy,  Palos  and  launches  should 
advance  up  the  river,  and,  by  attacking  the  forts  on  that  side, 
create  a  diversion  in  favor  of  the  landing  party,  who  should 
advance  by  land,  and  capture  and  demolish  the  forts  as  they 
advanced. 

Captain  Tilton  and  his  party  landed  on  a  gently  sloping 
beach,  two  hundred  yards  from  high-water  mark.  The  mud 
proved  a  sefious  obstruction,  coming  up  over  the  knees  of  the 
tallest  of  the  party,  a  fact  which  would  have  given  a  deadly 
advantage  to  a  better  appointed  enemy.  On  landing,  a  line  of 
skirmishers  was  thrown  out,  facing  a  tongue  of  land  jutting  out 
into  the  river,  covered  with  scrub  and  strengthened  by  a  square 
redoubt  on  the  right.  As  the  Marines  advanced,  the  garrison 
of  the  fort  were  seen  running  through  the  brush  and  long 
grown  crops,  turning  a  few  times,  and  firing  shots  which  took 
no  effect.  The  Marines  then  scoured  the  grounds  all  around, 
and  entered  the  fort,  where  they  remained  till  the  main  body 
came  up.  The  main  body  proceeded  to  dismantle  the  fort, 
spiking  and  dismounting  the  guns,  and  throwing  down  the 
works.  Meanwhile  the  Marines  advanced  with  the  river  on 
their  right,  spreading  as  far  to  the  left  as  possible,  so  as  to 
scour  a  wide  surface  of  country.  At  length  they  took  position 
on  a  wooded  knoll,  which  appeared  to  be  used  as  a  cemetery, 
being  covered  with  hemispherical  mounds.  The  main  body 
was  three-quarters  of  a  mile  behind.  The  evening  was  now  far 
advanced,  and  a  general  order  was  issued  to  the  force  to 
bivouac  fof  the  night  where  they  were.  Accordingly,  for  the 
first  time,  a  Western  force  spent  the  night  on  the  soil  of  Corea. 
On  the  following  day  the  little  army  advanced  on  the  second  line 
of  fortification.  One-third  of  the  Marines  were  ordered  to  march 
on  the  face  of  the  work  looking  landward,  two-thirds  being  held 


Terrible  PunisJiment  Inflicted  on  the  Coreans.  213 

in  reserve.  But  the  assault  proved  a  bloodless  one  ;  the  enemy 
had  decamped,  probably  in  consequence  of  the  shot  and  shell 
of  the  naval  squadron  ;  and  they  entered  the  works  without 
opposition.  With  despatch  they  set  to  work,  and  in  a  remark- 
ably short  space  of  time  the  battlements  were  dismantled,  fifty 
or  sixty  insignificant  pieces  of  cannon  being  spiked  and  thrown 
over  the  cliff  into  the  river.  The  ramparts  were  then  demol- 
ished on  the  front  and  right  face  of  the  work.  But  the  main 
object  the  party  had  in  view  had  still  to  be  dealt  with,  being  no 
other  than  the  destruction  of  the  horse-shoe-shaped  citadel, 
which  first  opened  fire  on  the  surveying  party.  For  it,  there- 
fore, the  landing  party  now  started  ;  the  main  body  in  the 
centre,  the  Marines  piloting  the  way.  For  a  time  only  a  few 
unarmed  natives  were  dislodged,  who  were  left  unmolested.  At 
last,  as  the  crest  of  a  ridge  was  reached,  the  enemy  were  seen 
occupying  a  parallel  ridge  at  no  great  distance,  and  blazing 
away  with  their  wretched  match-locks  at  the  foreigners  as  they 
came  in  view,  their  great  black  heads  popping  up  and  down  all 
the  time.  But,  short  as  the  distance  was,  it  was  beyond  their 
range.  The  enemy  were  grouped  on  a  knoll  some  distance  off  • 
but  a  few  shells  judiciously  planted  among  them  exerted  a 
wonderful  influence,  and  they  fled  in  all  directions.  A  skirmish- 
ing party  of  Marines  was  thrown  out,  and  advanced  along  a 
narrow  ridge  leading  directly  to  the  horse-shoe  citadel,  the 
grand  stronghold  of  the  Coreans.  Of  the  six  thousand  troops 
said  to  have  been  employed  to  oppose  the  American  operations, 
one  thousand  formed  the  garrison  of  the  citadel.  The  main 
body  followed  the  skirmishers  close  up,  in  column  of  fours.  A 
line  of  Marines  was  thrown  out,  to  advance  parallel  to  the  right 
flank  of  the  redoubt,  which  was  selected  as  the  point  of  attack, 
and  where  the  advance  was  concealed  from  the  enemy.  This 
advance  was  successfully  accomplished,  till  the  party  took 
position  along  the  crest  of  the  hill,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  from  the  enemy,  with  their  right  resting  on  a  path  leading 
to  the  redoubt,  along  which  path  were  planted  in   line  about 


214  The  Marines  i?i  Advance. 

twenty-five  banners  a  few  feet  apart.  Parallel  to  this  ridge  was 
another,  about  thirty  yards  in  advance,  but  to  reach  it  the  whole 
line  must  expose  "themselves  to  view. 

The  banners  being  regarded  as  a  decoy,  Captain  Tilton 
detailed  only  four  men  to  advance  toward  them.  They  had 
secured  fifteen,  when  a  tremendous  fire  was  opened  on  them, 
a  perfect  hail  of  bullets,  lasting,  happily,  only  half  a  minute.  As 
soon  as  it  slackened,  a  rush  was  made  for  the  ridge  in  advance, 
which  movement  was  accomplished  with  the  loss  of  only  one 
Marine,  Private  Dennis  Hemahan,  although  another  tremendous 
volley  was  opened  on  them  as  soon  as  the  rush  was  made.  They 
were  now  only  one  hundred  and  twenty  yards  from  the  redoubt, 
but  the  rank  vegetation  and  the  shoulder  of  the  hill  on  which  it 
stood,  screened  them  from  its  fire.  Firing  now  became  general 
and  rapid  on  both  sides,  the  deadly  effect  of  the  American 
practice  being  witnessed  afterwards  by  the  number  of  Coreans 
killed  and  wounded.  High  above  the  sharp  rattle  of  the  firing 
rose  a  melancholy  chant  of  the  Coreans  as  they  fought.  As 
little  assaulting  parties  of  the  Americans  advanced  to  close 
quarters,  the  Coreans,  their  ammunition  apparently  expended, 
assailed  them  with  stones.  The  citadel  was  built  upon  the 
apex  of  a  conical  hill,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high 
from  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  through  which  our  men  had  to 
pass  to  reach  it.  The  hillside  was  very  steep,  and  the  walls  of 
the  fort  joined  the  acclivity  with  scarcely  a  break  in  the  line. 
Had  not  the  face  of  the  walls  been  somewhat  shattered  by  the 
shells  from  the  Monocacy  and  the  howitzers  on  shore,  the  ascent 
would  have  been  most  difficult.  Nothing  could  check  the 
Marines  and  sailors ;  on  they  rushed.  In  his  report,  Admiral 
Rodgers  says  :  "  The  heroic  McKee  was  first  to  mount  the 
parapet,  and  the  first  to  leap  into  a  hand-to-hand  conflict. 
There  he  fell,  as  his  father  fell  in  Mexico,  at  the  head  of  his 
men,  first  inside  the  enemy's  stormed  works."  Other  officers 
and  men  were  quickly  over  the  parapet.  The  fighting  inside 
the    fort  was  desperate.     The  resolution  of  the   Coreans  was 


The  Final  Triumph.  215 

unyielding ;  they  apparently  expected  no  quarter,  and  probably 
would  have  given  none.  They  fought  to  the  death,  and  only 
when  the  last  man  fell  did  the  conflict  cease.  The  enemy 
made  no  organized  resistance  in  the  forts  lower  down,  on 
the  point  toward  the  river.  These  were  opened  to  a  rear 
attack  by  the  capture  of  the  citadel,  and  the  garrison  fled. 
Many  of  them,  however,  fell  under  the  fire  of  our  musketry 
and  howitzers,  which  had  nearly  cut  them  off  from  retreat. 
The  yellow  cotton  flag,  about  twelve  feet  square,  with  a  large 
Chinese  cabalistic  character  in  black  on  the  centre,  which 
flew  over  the  fort,  was  captured  by  the  Marines.  It  was  torn 
down  by  Corporal  Brown,  of  the  Colorado's  guard,  and 
Private  Purvis,  of  the  Alaska's  guard,  by  Captain  Tilton's  orders. 
Private  Purvis,  of  the  Alaska's  guard,  had  his  hand  on  the 
halliards  a  second  or  two  before  any  one  else,  and  deserves  the 
credit  of  the  capture.  The  command,  to  a  man,  acted  in  a 
very  creditable  manner.  The  officers  of  the  Marines  were 
Lieutenants  Breese,  Mullany  and  McDonald.  Fifty  flags  were 
taken,  including  that  of  the  generalissimo ;  four  hundred  and 
eighty-one  pieces  of  ordnance  fell  into  our  hands,  besides  very 
many  match-locks  and  gingalls.  The  guns  comprised  eleven 
thirty-two-pounders,  fourteen  twenty-four-pounders,  two  twenty- 
pounders,  and  the  remainder,  four  hundred  and  fifty-four,  were 
two  and  four-pounders.  Two  hundred  and  forty  three  dead 
Coreans  were  counted  in  the  works.  Few  prisoners  were  taken, 
not  above  twenty,  and  some  of  these  were  wounded.  These 
last  were  treated  with  all  the  attention  possible,  and  finally 
released.  Thus,  in  the  language  of  Admiral  Rodgers,  "was  a 
treacherous  assault  upon  our  people  and  an  insult  to  our  flag 
redressed." 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  at  daylight,  after  having  occupied 
the  field  of  battle  eighteen  hours,  the  entire  force  reembarked 
in  one  hour,  and  returned  to  this  anchorage  in  the  Monocacy  and 
Palos.  Commander  Kimberly,  in  his  report  of  the  affair,  says : 
"To  Captain  Tilton  and  his  Marines  belongs  the  honor  of  first 


216  The  Final  Triumph. 

landing  and  last  leaving  the  shore,  in  leading  the  advance  on 
the  march,  in  entering  the  forts,  and  in  acting  as  skirmishers. 
Chosen  as  the  advanced  guard,  on  account  of  their  steadiness 
and  discipline,  and  looked  to  with  confidence  in  case  of  diffi- 
culty, their  whole  behavior  on  the  march  and  in  the  assault 
proved  that  it  was  not  misplaced."  Lieutenant-commander 
Casey,  reporting  the  action  to  his  superiors,  bore  similar  testi- 
mony, as  follows  :  "  The  Marines  were  always  in  the  advance, 
and  how  well  they  performed  their  part  I  leave  you  to  judge. 
Their  conduct  excited  the  admiration  of  all.  I  cannot  express 
in  too  high  terms  my  admiration  for  the  gallant  conduct,  under 
fire,  of  the  officers  attached  to  my  command,  and  their  cheer- 
fulness in  executing  orders  under  trying  circumstances." 

The  following  Marines  were  honorably  mentioned  :  Steamer 
Alaska,  Marines  who  captured  flags,  Privates  Hugh  Purvis, 
commanding-general's  flag,  John  Kelly,  H.  M.  Tolman,  and 
J.  B.  Butler;  Steamer  Benicia,  Marines  who  captured  flags, 
Corporal  Thomas  H.  Baker  and  Privates  Daniel  Barry,  John 
Bourke,  Charles  C.  Colllins,  William  Dervees,  George  Mclntyre, 
and  Michael  McNamara.  Commander  Kimberly  mentions  the 
following-named  Marines  who  distinguished  themselves  in  the 
attack :  "  Private  Dougherty,  of  the  guard  of  the  Benicia,  for 
seeking  out  and  killing  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Corean 
forces ;  Private  McNamara,  of  same  guard,  for  gallantry." 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

SERVICES    OF    THE    MARINES    IN    THE    CITY    OF    BOSTON    DURING 

TWO    DESTRUCTIVE    FIRES. PROTECTION    TO    AMERICANS   AT 

PANAMA. THANKS    TO    CAPTAIN     POPE. REVIEW    AT    KEY 

WEST. 

DURING  the  great  fire  in  Boston,  which  broke  out  on  the 
night  of  the  9th  of  November,  1872,  the  city  authorities 
called  on  the  commandant  at  the  Navy  Yard  for  a  force  of  Ma- 
rines to  aid  the  police  in  maintaining  the  peace,  and  preventing 
the  wholesale  robbery  that  was  threatened  by  gangs  of  thieves 
who  swarmed  to  the  city.  Lieutenant-colonel  Jones,  command- 
ing the  post,  placed  the  command  of  the  force  detailed,  in 
answer  to  the  request,  in  the  hands  of  Captain  Richard  S. 
Collum.  Between  one  and  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
10th,  Captain  Collum  started  for  the  scene  of  duty  with  his  de- 
tachment, consisting  of  First  Lieutenants  William  Wallace, 
George  M.  Welles,  three  sergeants,  two  corporals,  and  nineteen 
privates.  He  marched  directly  to  the  City  Hall,  and,  upon  ar- 
rival, reported  to  the  Hon.  William  Gaston,  Mayor,  for  such  duty 
as  he  might  require.  Captain  Collum  was  directed  to  march  to 
the  scene  of  the  conflagration,  with  discretionary  power  to  act 
as  he  might  think  best  for  the  preservation  of  order  and  the 
public  safety.  At  two  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  force  arrived  at  the 
point  where  their  services  were  required.  At  six  a.  m.,  First 
Lieutenant  J.  H.  Sherburne  reported  with  a  detachment  of 
fifteen  men  from  the  United  States  ship  Ohio.     The  value  of 

217 


2 1 8      Services  of  the  Marines  during  Two  Destructive  Fires. 

the  services  rendered  by  the  Marines  on  this  occasion  was  be- 
yond calculation.  They  remained  on  duty  until  noon,  when,  the 
State  Militia  having  arrived,  they  returned  to  the  barracks.  In 
his  report  of  the  affair,  Captain  Collum  said  :  "  I  would  respect- 
fully call  your  attention  to  the  noble  and  gallant  conduct  of  the 
men,  who  were  placed  in  situations  of  extreme  peril,  and  by 
their  steadiness  and  firmness  in  executing  the  orders  given  them, 
prevented  confusion  among  the  crowd  of  bystanders,  and  saved 
many  lives.  To  First  Lieutenants  William  Wallace,  George  M. 
Welles,  and  John  H.  Sherburne,  great  praise  is  due  for  their  un- 
tiring exertions  in  the  performance  of  their  duty.  Always 
ready,  willing,  and  prompt,  their  conduct  merits  my  hearty 
commendation." 

At  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  on  the  nth,  Captain  Collum  received 
orders  to  take  command  of  two  companies  of  thirty  men  each, 
commanded  by  First  Lieutenant  William  Wallace  and  Orderly 
Sergeant  Francis  Groll,  and  proceed  to  the  Sub-treasury  for 
further  orders.  Upon  arrival,  he  was  ordered  to  guard  the  re- 
moval of  government  funds  from  that  building  to  the  Custom- 
house. After  performing  that  dirty,  he  returned  with  the  com- 
mand to  the  barracks.  At  five  o'clock  p.  m.,  of  the  same  date, 
he  was  ordered  to  take  command  of  a  detachment  consisting  of 
one  sergeant,  one  corporal,  and  twenty-two  privates,  and  report 
to  Postmaster  William  L.  Burt  for  duty.  First  Lieutenant 
William  Wallace  was  detailed  to  accompany  him.  As  soon  as 
they  arrived,  quarters  were  assigned  them  in  the  Post-office 
building,  the  rear  of  which  was  much  damaged  by  the  fire, 
thereby  exposing  a  large  amount  of  public  property  to  the 
depredations  of  the  lawless  persons  then  in  the  city.  Sentinels 
were  posted  in  the  most  exposed  positions  with  loaded  muskets, 
and  this  duty  was  continued  several  days.  In  closing  his  re- 
port, Captain  Collum  says :  '"  I  cannot  mention  too  highly  the 
valuable  aid  and  important  services  rendered  by  First  Lieuten- 
ant Wallace  throughout  the  whole  arduous  duties  we  have  per- 
formed, and  the  uniformly  good  conduct  of  the  men  under  very 
trying  circumstances." 


Services  of  the  Marines  during  Two  Destructive  Fires.      219 

Postmaster  Burt  addressed  a  letter  to  Colonel  Jones,  after  the 
fire,  in  which  he  said :  "  I  desire  to  convey  to  Captain  Collum 
and  Brevet  Captain  Wallace  of  your  command,  and  the  men 
under  them,  who  were  assigned  at  my  request  as  a  guard  to  the 
Sub-treasury  and  Post-office  during  the  week  of  the  great  fire, 
my  thanks' for  the  service  they  rendered  us.  They  remained 
without  relief  from  Monday  to  Saturday  night.  Their  discipline 
and  soldierly  bearing  were  marked,  and  they  performed  their 
duties  thoroughly,  gaining  great  credit  from  all  our  citizens." 
General  Zeilin,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  Colonel  Jones' 
report,  says :  "  I  have  to  say  that  the  conduct  of  those  com- 
prising the  detachment  is  a  matter  of  pride  and  gratification  to 
me.  I  had  learned  from  other  sources  of  the  discipline  and 
soldierly  conduct,  as  well  as  of  the  efficient  aid  rendered  by  the 
detachment,  on  this  occasion,  and  I  desire  you  will  extend  to 
Captain  Collum,  Lieutenants  Wallace  and  Welles,  as  also  to  the 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  the  detachment,  my 
thanks  and  most  complimentary  recognition  of  their  services 
And  I  further  desire  to  say,  that  the  promptitude  displayed  ir 
responding  to  the  call  for  the  services  of  the  Marines,  and  theii 
efficiency  and  discipline  in  rendering  such  service,  speaks  most 
highly  for  the  energy  and  zeal  of  their  commanding  officer." 

1873.  —  At  the  time  of  the  destructive  fire  in  Boston,  May  30th 
when  the  famous  Globe  Theatre  and  other  valuable  buildings 
were  burned,  the  city  authorities  again  called  on  the  Marines  for 
aid  ;  and  in  obedience  to  an  order  received  by  Colonel  Jones  from 
Commodore  Parrot,  commandant  of  the  station,  Captain  Collum 
assumed  command  of  a  detachment,  consisting  of  First  Lieuten- 
ant William  Wallace,  Second  Lieutenants  J.  C.  Shailer  and  J.  T. 
Brodhead,  four  sergeants,  three  corporals,  and  fifty-nine  privates, 
and  proceeded  to  the  City  Hall,  where  orders  were  received 
from  the  Hon.  H.  L.  Pierce,  Mayor.  At  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  the 
detachment  was  reinforced  by  fifteen  men  from  the  guard  of  the 
United  States  ship  Ohio,  under  the  command  of  First  Lieuten- 
ant J.  H.  Sherburne  ;  also  twenty-one  men  from  the  guard  of  the 


220  Protection  to  Americans  at  Panama. 

United  States  ship  Powhattan,  in  charge  of  a  sergeant.  At 
three  o'clock  p.  M.,  they  were  relieved  by  a  detachment  of  the 
fifth  artillery  until  six  o'clock  p.  m.,  when  they  again  went  on 
duty,  and  remained  until  the  next  morning.  The  streets  within 
their  lines  were  thoroughly  patroled  during  the  night,  and  the 
utmost  vigilance  was  observed.  Captain  Collum  thus  closes 
his  report  to  Colonel  Jones  :  "  With  great  gratification,  I  respect- 
fully present  for  your  favorable  consideration  the  men  of  the 
command,  who  won  the  respect  of  all  by  their  uniformly  good 
conduct,  vigilance,  and  soldierly  bearing.  To  First  Lieutenants 
William  Wallace,  J.  H.  Sherburne,  and  Second  Lieutenants  J.  C. 
Shailer  and  J.  T.  Brodhead,  my  hearty  thanks  are  due  for  their 
promptitude  and  the  able  manner  with  which  they  conducted 
the  arduous  duties  assigned  them." 

General  Zeilin  expressed  great  satisfaction  on  the  receipt  of 
Colonel  Jones'  report,  and  wrote  to  that  officer  as  follows  :  "  It 
affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  express  to  you  my  thanks  for  the 
uniform  good  conduct  and  promptitude  of  the  men  under  your 
command.  On  all  occasions,  when  called  upon,  have  they  main- 
tained the  past  renown  of  the  Corps.  You  will  please  express 
to  Captain  Collum,  the  officers  and  men  in  his  charge,  my 
thanks  for  the  good  conduct,  vigilance,  and  soldierly  bearing 
displayed  by  them  on  all  occasions."  The  city  government  of 
Boston  officially  recognized  the  services  of  the  Marines,  and 
Mayor  Pierce  sent  the  following  to  Commodore  Parrott :  "  I 
have  great  pleasure  in  complying  with  the  request  of  the  City 
Council  to  communicate  to  you  the  thanks  of  the  City  Govern- 
ment and  citizens  of  Boston  for  the  very  valuable  services 
rendered  by  Captain  Richard  S.  Collum,  Lieutenants  William 
Wallace,  J.  H.  Sherburne,  J.  C.  Shailer,  and  J.  T.  Brodhead, 
and  men  under  their  command  attached  to  the  Marine  Corps, 
in  preserving  order  and  protecting  property  during  and  after  the 
fire." 

Rear  Admiral  Steadman,  on  arriving  at  Panama,  May  7,  1873, 
found  hostilities  in  progress  between  the  opposing  parties  con- 


Protection  to  Americans  at  Pa?iama.  221 

tending  for  possession  of  the  government  of  the  State  of  Pan- 
ama, and,  at  the  request  of  the  United  States  consul  and  a  num- 
ber of  influential  American  and  other  foreign  citizens,  sent  on 
shore  a  force  of  two  hundred  Marines  and  sailors,  with  four 
pieces  of  artillery.  A  portion  of  this  force  was  withdrawn  on 
the  nth,  and  the  remainder  on  the  22nd,  all  differences  having 
been  settled.  A  second  landing  was  made  September  24th, 
under  the  orders  of  Rear  Admiral  Almy,  the  revolutionary  move- 
ments having  been  renewed.  A  force  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  Marines  and  sailors,  well  armed  and  equipped,  was  landed, 
and  was  afterward  increased  to  one  hundred  and  ninety  men. 
Detachments  were  posted  to  protect  the  American  consulate, 
and  other  American  houses  and  American  property.  The  land- 
ing parties  were  from  the  Pensacola  and  Benicia,  the  latter  ves- 
sel belonging  to  the  North  Pacific  station.  Hostilities  ceased 
October  8th,  and  the  force  was  withdrawn,  excepting  a  detach- 
ment of  thirty  men,  which  was  left  a  few  days  longer,  to  guard 
the  depot  and  the  railroad,  should  the  troubles  revive.  The 
landing  of  these  detachments  during  the  two  emergencies,  while 
quieting  the  fears  of  foreign  residents  secured  the  safe  transit 
of  the  passengers  and  their  effects,  and  of  the  freight  and  specie 
of  four  lines  of  steamers,  two  of  which  were  not  of  our  nation- 
ality, depending  on  this  road  for  prompt  transportation.  The 
officers  and  men  who  composed  the  landing  parties  received 
the  commendation  of  their  respective  commanders-in-chief  for 
the  creditable  and  admirable  manner  in  which  they  discharged 
their  duty.  The  detachment  of  Marines,  numbering  twenty- 
two,  was  under  the  command  of  Second  Lieutenant  James 
D'Hervilly. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  the  Delaide,  an  Italian  merchant  vessel, 
lying  in  the  harbor  of  Callao,  Peru,  was  discovered  to  be  on 
fire.  The  flames  gained  such  headway  that  her  crew  were  pow- 
erless to  overcome  them.  As  the  vessel  was  loaded  with  explo- 
sive and  combustible  materials,  it  was  feared  that  the  shipping 
in  the  crowded  harbor  would  be  greatly  damaged,  and  possibly 


222  Review  at  Key   West. 

many  lives   lost,  unless  the  progress  of   the  flames  could   be 
checked.     At  this  juncture,  several  of  the  officers  and  men  of 
the  United  States  ship  St  Mary's  volunteered   their  assistance. 
Among  these  was  Captain  P.  C.  Pope,  Fleet  Marine  officer  of 
the  squadron.     The  volunteers  were  entirely  successful  in  ex- 
tinguishing the  flames;  not,  however,  without  severe  exertion 
and  great  danger.     Captain  Pope,  with  the  other  officers,  was 
the  recipient  of  a  letter  of  thanks  from  the  Minister  of  foreign 
affairs  of  Italy,  by  order  of  the  king,  for  his  distinguished  ser- 
vices on  that  occasion.     This  was  transmitted  to  him  in  a  com- 
plimentary letter  from  the  Navy  Department,  accompanied  by 
the  following  letter  from  Admiral  Almy,  addressed  to   Captain 
Pope  personally :  "  It  affords  me  much  gratification  to  transmit 
to  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Italian   Minister  at  Washing- 
ton to  the  Department  of  State,  conveying  the   thanks  of  the 
Italian  government  to  yourself    and  other  officers   for   gallant 
and  skilful   services  rendered  on  the  occasion  of  a  fire  on  board 
of  the  Italian  bark  Delaide,  in  the  port  of  Callao,  on   the   25th 
of  June,  1873.     I  will  take  this  occasion  to  add,   that  no  more 
agreeable  duty  can  ever  fall  to  the  lot  of  a  true  naval  or  Marine 
officer,  than   that  of  relieving  those  who  may  be  in  imminent 
danger  of  shipwreck  and  destruction,  to  whatsoever  nation  they 
may  belong.     Under  such  circumstances   the  genuine  man,  of 
whatever  profession  he  may  be,  knows  no  nationality.     To  him, 
ail  belong  to  the  same  family.     These  sentiments  seem  to  have 
actuated  you  in  your  spirited  behavior  upon  the  occasion  of  the 
fire  on  board  of  the  Italian  bark  Delaide." 

1874.  — On  the  24th  of  January,  1874,  the  harbor  of  Key 
West,  Florida,  presented  an  unusual  scene.  There  was  assem- 
bled one  of  the  largest  and  most  imposing  fleets  since  the  great 
fleet  of  Admiral  Porter  in  1864.  Vessels  had  been  recalled 
from  the  different  squadrons  in  anticipation  of  war  with  Spain, 
growing  out  of  the  Virginius  affair.  This  difficulty  having  been 
settled,  it  was  determined,  before  ordering  the  vessels  to  their 
stations,    to  exercise  the    fleet  in  squadron  tactics,  apply    the 


Review  at  Key   West.  223 

teachings  of  the  torpedo  system,  landing  in  surf  boats,  target 
practice,  and  exercise  the  Marines  of  the  fleet  in  battalion 
movements  on  the  island,  under  the  command  of  the  senior 
officer,  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Charles  Heywood. 

The  Marines  were  landed  in  conjunction  with  the  sailors  of 
the  fleet,  and  on  several  occasions  by  themselves.  A  large 
number  of  citizens  from  different  parts  of  the  country  assem- 
bled at  Key  West,  as  well  as  many  officers  of  the  Army  and 
Navy,  to  witness  these  drills  on  sea  and  land.  The  sailors  ex- 
hibited remarkable  proficiency,  and  the  battalion  under  the  com- 
mand of  that  accomplished  soldier,  Colonel  Heywood,  won  the' 
applause  not  only  of  civilians,  but  of  the  officers  of  the  two 
services.  The  precision  in  marching,  the  physique  of  the  men, 
the  evolutions,  and  the  perfection  in  the  manual,  delighted  the 
distinguished  veterans  who  were  there  as  spectators.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  roster  of  the  battalion  :  — 

Captain  and  Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Charles  Heywood,  Colonel;  Cap- 
tain George  W.  Collier,  Lieutenant-colonel ;  Captain  Frank  Munroe,  Major  : 
Lieutenant  William  F.  Zeilin,  Adjutant ;  Dr.  Robert  A.  Marmion,  Surgeon  ; 
Paymaster  George  A.  Deering,  Paymaster. 

First  Company  :  Captain  W.  R.  Brown,  Lieutenant  Frank  Scott,  six  ser- 
geants, seventy-two  corporals  and  privates  from  the  Juniata,  Alaska  and 
Wauchusett. 

Second  Company  :  Captain  W.  B.  Remey,  Lieutenant  D.  Whipple,  four 
sergeants,  seventy-two  corporals  and  privates  from  the  Colorado. 

Third  Company  :  Brevet  Captain  G.  B.  Haycock,  Lieutenant  P.  S.  C. 
Murphy,  six  sergeants,  seventy-two  corporals  and  privates,  from  the  Congress 
and  Wyoming. 

Fourth  Company :  Lieutenant  Erastus  R.  Robinson,  four  sergeants,  sev- 
enty-two corporals  and  privates,  from  the  Franklin. 

Fifth  Company  :  Lieutenant  Francis  H.  Harrington,  four  sergeants,  sev- 
enty-two corporals  and  privates  from  the  Brooklyn. 

Sixth  Company :  Lieutenant  Green  C.  Goodloe,  four  sergeants,  seventy- 
two  corporals  and  privates,  from  the  Canandaigua  and  Ossipee. 

Seventh  Company :  Lieutenant  B.  R.  Russel,  four  sergeants,  seventy-two 
corporals  and  privates,  from  the  Juniata  and  Wabash. 

Eighth  Company  :  Lieutenant  Robert  D.  Wainwright,  six  sergeants,  sev- 
enty-two corporals  and  privates,  from  the  Shenandoah  and  Lancaster. 


PART   III 


CHAPTER   I. 

COMPLETE   LIST   OF   ALL     THE     OFFICERS     OF     THE     CORPS,     FROM 
1798    TO    THE    PRESENT   TIME. 

The  following  tables  furnish  a  complete  list  of  the  commis- 
sioned officers  of  the  United  States  Marine  Corps  from  1798 
to  1875,  tne  date  °f  tne  first  commission  of  each,  dates  of  pro- 
motions, etc.,  with  remarks  on  the  results  of  service. 


227 


228 


Register  of  Officers 


DATES    OF   ORIGINAL    ENTRY 


Commandants. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut.          Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut    Colonel. 

1  Com.  Julv 
/       12,  1798 

(      Comd't. 
|  May  1,   1800 
j      Comd' t. 
(  Mar.  7,   1804 
f      Comd't. 
(  Mar.  3,   18 19 

(      Comd't. 
(  Oct.  17,  1820 

Aug.  3,  1798 
Apr.  24,  1804 

Apr.  1,   181 1 

June  13,  1830 
Sept.  14,1847 

Sept.  2,  1798 
June  4,  1806 

Apr.  23,  1814 

Mar.  2,  1799 
Mar.  6,  1807 

June  18,  1814 
Sept.  12, 1836 

Oct.    6,   1 84 1 
July  26)  1861 

Names. 
Adams,  George 

Mar.  19, 1845 

Nov.  25, 1 86 1 
Nov.  7,  1800 
Feb.  10,  1838 
Apr.  3,   1810 
Mar.  12,1868 
July  25,  179S 

Feb.  17,  1807 

June  11,  1811 
Apr.  19,  1812 
Nov.  13, 1830 
Jan.  28,  1817 

Feb.  28,  1815 

Aug.  18, 1799 
July  1,    1809 
Jan.  2,    1800 
Apr.  14,  1812 
June  24, 1813 
June  10, 1817 
May  24,  1828 

Oct.  20,  1832 

Nov.  4.  1862 

Alexander,  Philip 

Allen,  Samuel  K 

Amory,  William 

Nov.  10,1799 
Jan.  23, 1809 

June  18, 1814 

Anderson,  Jeremiah. . . 

July  1,   1834 

Ashton,  Richard  W 

Auchmuty,  Richard 

Barclay,  Thomas 

Bayly,  Robert  P 

Baldwin,  Samuel 

Bacon,  Samuel 

Bacote,  Thomas  W. . . . 

Barton,  Thomas  B 

Bainbridge,  Theodore.. 

Apr.  18,  1817 
Oct.  21,  1801 

Dec.  10,1801 
July  8,   1 8 12 
June  18, 1812 
Oct.  17,  1820 

June  18,  1814 

Dec.  30,  1837 

Aug.  1,  i860 
Sept.  1,  1861 

Sept.  28, 1847 

Baker,  Joseph  F 

Banning,  Edmund  P.. 

Bartlett,  Henry  A 

Bates,  George  T 

June  5,  1861 
July  2,  1864 
Nov.  25, 1861 
Feb.  19,  1873 
Nov.  8,  1800 
Apr.  24, 1812 
Nov.  19,  1840 
Jan.  24,  1870 
Mar.  28, 1820 
Dec.  17, 1873 
Feb.  6,  1865 
Nov.  25,1861 
Mar.  3,  182 1 

June  22,  1864 

Nov.  26,1861 

Nov.  29, 1867 

Bellvue,  F.  B.  de 

Berrett,  John  J 

Berryman,  O.  C 

June  18, 1814 

Mar.  3,  1819 

Benson,  G.  Robert.  . . . 

Bigelow,  Horatio  R 

Bishop,  Henry  J 

Bloodgood,  W.  A 

Apr.   1,  1864 

from  1798  to  1875. 


229 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

Resigned  March  6,  1804. 
Died  Sept.  1,  1818. 

(  Brevet   Major, 
|     April  24,  1814 
fLt.   Col.,   Oct. 

17,  1820  :B'g. 
<     Gen.  Jan.  27. 

1837;    Major 
{    1814. 

(  Capt.    Mar.    3, 
j     1825 ;   Major, 
(     Jan.  27,  1837 

Maj.  Jan.  9,  1847 

(      Comd't. 
(July  1,    1834 

t  Col.  Comd't. 
\  Jan.   7.    1859 

(      Comd't. 
(  June  10,  1864 

Died  Jan.  6,  1859. 

Died  May  12,  1864. 
In  service. 

(      Comd't. 
|  Mar.  2,  1867 

tst  Lieut.  Aug. 
12,  1847, 


Brevt.  Major, 
June  18,  1824; 
Lt.  Col.  May 
24,  1828. 


I  Capt.  Apr. 
I    1827. 


Capt.  Sept.  13. 
1847. 


Died  Oct.  21,  1856. 

Drowned  April  r,  1864,  Cairo,  111. 

Resigned  March  31,  1803. 

Transferred  to  the  army  Nov.  26,  1838. 

Resigned  July  24,  18 10. 

In  service. 

Resigned,  date  unknown. 

Died  June  13,  1830. 

Dismissed  in  September,  181 1. 
Resigned  in  October,  1812. 
Died  April  14,  1841. 
Resigned  Jan.  22,  1821. 

Resigned  April  1,  1830. 

Resigned  May  31,  1802. 

Died  Aug.  26,  1809. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1806. 

Resigned  in  November,  1815. 

Resigned  June  4,  1815. 

Resigned  March  13,  1829. 

Resigned  Jan.  18,  1832. 

Died  Aug.  31,  1853. 

Dismissed  May  23,  1861 ;  joined  C.  S.  A.; 

In  service. 

Resigned  April  13,  1870. 

In  service. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Feb.  14,  1801. 

Resigned  March  6,  1824. 

Resigned  April  5,  1843. 

In  service. 

Died  Jan.  7,  1822. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Feb.  28,  1870. 

In  service. 

Appointed  purser  May  2,  1834. 


*  Resigned,  but  resignation  not  accepted. 


230 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF   ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 


Boyle,  James  H.. . 
Bosque,  Joseph.... 
Boon,  Leonard  J. . 
Boyd,  William  L.. 
Boyd,  William  S. . 
Bond,  Francis  A. . . 
Bourne,  William  T. 

Bradford,  C.  H. . . . 


Bradford,  E.  T 

Breese,  James  B — 
Brooks,  Jr.,  John.  . . 

Broom,  James 

Britton,  Abraham . . 
Brownlow,  W.  L. . . 
Breckenridge,  H.  B. 

Broom,  Charles  R.* 

Brooke,  Edmund... 
Brown,  William.. . . 

Brown,  W.  R 

Brewerton,  G.  D... 

Brevoort,  A.  N 

Brooke,  B.  E 


Broom,  James 
Brady,  Thomas  A. 
Brewster,  W.  H. . . 


Broome,  John  L. . . 

Browning,  R.  L. . . . 

Brodhead,  J.  T 

Burrough,  Jehu  A. . 
Bush,  William  S.... 
Burnham,  James  D. 
Burke,  Thomas  P.. 
Butterfield,  William. 
Buchanan,  J.  A. . . . , 

Butler,  George , 


w 


Caldwell,  Henry.... 

Caldwell,  R.  C 

Cammack,  William. 
Campbell,  G.  W.... 
Carmick,  Daniel.  . . 
Carter,  Landon  N.. 

Cartter,  W.  H 

Cash,  John  C.f.... 
Church,  Jonathan.. 

Church,  F.  L 

Clark,  Lemuel 

Clinch,   B 

Clavpole,  John..... 

Clark,  N.  S , 

Clements,  Jas.  M.. 
Cochrane,  Henry  C.  . . 


Second  Lieut. 


June  25, 
Feb.  28, 
July  7, 
Sept.  17, 
Jan.  12, 
Mar.  1, 
Aug.    s, 

Nov.  25, 

Dec.  18, 

Mar.  18, 
Oct.  1, 
Apr.  21, 
Sept.  9, 
July  6, 
Apr.  15, 

July  27, 

Apr.  15, 
Jan.  16, 

Nov.  25, 
Mar.  3, 

Mar.  28, 

uly  8, 
_>ec.28, 
Feb.  3, 
Jan.  24, 

Jan.  12, 

Nov.  24, 
Apr.  12, 
June  5, 
July  3, 
July  1, 
Nov.  20, 
Mar.  3, 
Mar.   3, 


1809 
1815 
1812 
1813 
1848 
1815 
1824 

1861 

1868 
1864 
1807 


.819 

1S20 

1  S3  3 

1S36 
1  S.- 


June 18,  1814 
June  18,  1814 

June  18,  18 14 

June  18,  1814 


t848 

1852 
1872 
1  So  1 
180.) 
.825 
1830 
1847 
1847 
Feb.  11,  1859 

Sept.  2,  1798 
Oct.  17,  1834 


Oct.  14,  1852 


May  26,  1824 
Mar.  1,  1861 
Mar.  16, 1845 


July  12,  1862 


Mar.  30, 1799 
Apr.  20,  1812 
Jan.  28,  1817 
Sept.  7,  186 


Apr.  27, 


June  18,  1814 
June  18,  1814 
Dec.  13, 1857 


Nov.  26,1861 

Aug.  20,  1874 
May  1,  1868 
Jan.  30,  1809 
Apr.  14,  1 8 12 


Aug.  18,  1862 
Sept.  17,  1 82 1 

Sept.  26,  1823 

Feb.  7,   1839 


Mar.  3,  1847 


Sept.  28,1857 
Nov.  29,1858 


Sept. 
Mar. 


4,  181 


July  9,  1 86 1 

Mar  2,  1799 

Mar.  3,  1845 

Sept.  1,  1798 


Apr.  7,  1832 
Sept.  1,  1861 
Sept.  21, 1852 
Sept.  5,1798 
Aug.  13,  1865 


Sept.  5,  1798 


Coffin,  H.  G IMay   4,  1866 

*  Paymaster  and  Captain. 


Mar.  28,  1820 
Aug.  20,  1865 


Captain. 


July  26,  i86j 


Oct.  17,  1820 
Dec.  10,  1814 

Mar.  7,  1824 


May  18,  187] 

Mar.  6,  183S 


July  26,  1861 


Sept.  1,  1864 


Nov.  4,  1862 
Jan. 23,  1809 


Major. 


Sept.  12, 


Dec. 


[864 


Aug.  3,  1798 
Mar.  3,  1847I 
June  10,  1864 


Mar.  7,  1809 


Aug.  3,  1798 


Nov.  20,1862 


Lieut   Colonel. 


t  Paymaster  with  the  rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


231 


AND   PROGRESSIVE  RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet.  Rank. 

Remarks. 

Resigned  in  1812. 
Died  at  New  Orleans,  1815. 
Disbanded  April  18,  181 7,  P.  E.  A.* 
Resigned  July  26,  1814. 
Resigned  July  31,  1865. 
Resigned  in  November,  1816. 
Died  March  4,  1826. 

K  Died  Feb.  15,  1864,  from  wounds  received 
\      in  battle. 

Killed  in  action  Sept.  10,  1813. 

Killed  in  action  June  1,  1813. 

Resigned  in  1818. 

Died  July  17,  1821. 

Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.* 

Died  Nov.  14,  1840. 

Resigned  Feb.  13,  1817. 
Died  June  19,  1818. 

\  Lt.   CoL    Mar. 

Died  Jan.  31,  1&27. 

Died  Nov.  26,  1866. 

Died  Nov.  28,  1858. 
Cashiered  July  6,  1838. 
Died  Nov.  7,  1847- 
Resigned  Feb.  1,  1839. 

( Maj.   Apr.   24, 
J    1862  ;  Lt.  Col. 
(    Mar.  14,  1863. 

Died  Nov.  28,  1867,  West  Indies. 

Killed  in  action  Aug.  19,  1812. 

Transferred  to  the  army  June  30,  1826. 

Cashiered  Oct.  3,  1831. 

Resigned  May  1,  1858. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  for  1850. 

\  Major  Jan.  14, 
\      1865. 

Died  Nov.  13,  1852. 
Resigned  Dec.  31,  1800. 
Died  March  23,  1855. 

Died  Sept.  26,  1847. 
Dismissed  Aug.  12,  1865. 

Resigned  Oct.  26,  1801. 
Resigned  Aug.  8,  1868. 
Resigned  Nov.  30,  1801. 
Resigned  June  30,  1803. 
Resigned  Dec.  23,  1800. 
Resigned  1812. 
Died  May  27,  1822. 

Dismissed  Feb.  17,  187a. 

*  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


232 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF   ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Aug.  19,  1855 

1861 

July  26,  1861 

Dec.  5,  1867 

Sept.  5,  1798 
Sent.   t.  I86r 

Collier,  George  W 

Collum,  Richard  S 

Nov.  20,1862 
Mar.  13,  1872 

Feb.  12,  1870 

Nov.  25,1861  Dec.  30,  1862 

Nov.  25,1861  Nov.  26,1861 

Mar.  9,  1865  May  18,  1871 
Nov.  18,  1805  Mar.  4,  1807 
Apr.  16,  1812  Aug.  20,  1812 

Corrie,  F.  H 

Coston,  H.  H 

Cooper,  George 

Coejman,  S.  S 

Mar.  28,  1820 
Mar.  28,  1820 
July  29,  1806 

Mar.  8,  1824 

Crabb,  John 

Jan.  31,  1809  June  28,  1809 
Apr.  14,  1810  Apr.    1,    1811 
Nov.  2,  i8ioApr.  14,1812 

June  18,  1814 



Curtis,  Joseph  W 

May  7,   1822 

Nov.  8,  1798 
Oct.  31,  1854 
July  12,  1862 
July  2,    1864 

Jan.  13,  1859 

Apr.  26,  1812 
Feb.  28,  1816 
Nov.  25,1861 
Feb.  21,  1839 
Mar.  13,  1816 
Oct.  17,  1834 
May  7,   1822 
Sept.  26,1837 
Jan.  16,  1817 

June  10,  1817 

Mar.  1,  1815 

Feb.  23,  1830 
Apr.  10,  1800 

Dallas,  A   H 

Feb.  13,  1865 

186 1 

Nov.  23,1861 

DeGranpre,  P.  B 

June  18,  1814 
Apr.  12,  1817 

Devlin,  John  S 

Mar.  3,  1847 
Apr.  18,  181 7 

Dieterich,  J.  P 

Douglass,  Richard  .... 

Doughty,  Isaac  T 

Duncan,  John  H 

Dulany,  William 

Duval,  Singleton 

Apr.  26,  1825 
Mar.  3,  1847 

Mar.  7,  1839 
Mar.  14, 1856 

Nov.  23,1861 

June  19, 1 8 19 

July  1,    1834 

Nov.  17*1847 

Aug.  3,  1798 

Edwards,  James  L 

Edelin,  James 

June  18,  1811 

Mar.  1,  1815 

May  7,   1822 
Jan.  24,  1870 
Apr.  4,   1870 
Oct.  12,  1870 
Mar.  1,  1815 

June  10, 18 1 7 

June  14, 1862 
Oct.  17,  1857 

Apr.  18,  1817 
Mar.  14,  1829 

July  1,    1834 
Oct   6,    184 1 

Sept.  14,1847 

Jan.  7,  1859... 

Ela    F   P 

Ellsworth,  H  G 

Elliot,  George  F 

English,  George  B 

English,  Thomas  S. . .  • 

Fagan,  Louis  E 

Fendall,  Jr.,  P.  R 

Aug.  11, 1819 

Dec.  8,  1864 
1861 

June  1,  1834 

Feb. 18, 1853 

July  26,  1861 

from  1798  to  1875. 


233 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

In  service.     Retired  Oct.  12,  1869. 
Resigned  June  24,  1799. 
In  service. 
In  service. 

1  Capt.  Jan.   14, 
I      1865. 

Resigned  Sept  18,  1809. 
Resigned  Nov.  22,  18 12. 
Resigned  Sept.  15,  1813. 
Died  Sept.  25,  1823. 
Died  Dec.  26,  1825. 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1806. 
Resigned   April  28,  1812. 
Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.* 
Resigned  Jan.  21,  1812. 
Resigned  May  13,  1812. 
Dismissed  Aug.  26,  1852. 
Resigned  Dec.  30,  1837. 

Resigned  Oct.  31,  1800. 
Resigned  Sept.  24,  1855. 
Resigned  July  29,  1868. 
Died  Jan.  11,  1865. 





\  Major,  Jan.  14, 
\      1865. 

Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A  * 

In  service.     Retired  March  31,  1864. 

Cashiered  Sept.  20,  1852. 

Died  Jan.  21,  1822. 

Cashiered  April  27,  1838. 

Died  April  20,  185 1. 

In  service.     Retired  June  6,  1864. 

Resigned  Aug.  11,  1817. 

Died  July  4,  1868. 

Resigned  in  October,  1816. 

Killed  in  a  duel  Oct.  16,  1800. 
Resigned  in  February,  1813. 

Died  July  13,  1869. 

Died  July  15,  1847. 

Drowned  in  the  East  Indies  Feb.  19,  1874. 

1     1829;      Major 
Lt.  Col.  Sept. 

(  Capt.  Apr.  18, 

Resigned  in  1817. 
Died  March  26,  1871. 

\    1829. 

(  1st  Lieut.  Sept. 

(    Jan.  14,  1865. 

\    1870.                 1        • 

*  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


234 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF   ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Fenwick,  John  R 

Field,  Thomas  Y 

Nov.  10, 1799 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Sept.  7,  1871 
Sept.  9,  18 1 8 
Feb.   1,  1809 
Nov.  25, 1861 
Mar.  1,  1815 

Mar.  1,  1861 

Feb.  22,  1857 
June  29, 1809 

Dec.  1,  1801 
Oct.  15,  1854 

Aug.  13, 1809 
May  30,  1861 

June  10,  1864 

Floyd,  C.  C 

Mar.  24, 1821 
Apr.  14, 1 8 10 
Feb.  6,   1864 
Apr.  18,  1817 

Sept.  1,  1 86 1 

Apr.  27,  1810 
May  2,  1834 

June  18,  1814 

Apr.  23,  1864 

June  18,  1814 

Ford,  R.  O'Neill 

Ford,  Christopher 

Forney,  James 

Fontane\  P.  H.  W 

Apr.  23,  1864 
July  26, 1861 

Foster,  Joseph 

Fowler,  H  W 

Aug.  17, 1812 

June  14, 1862 
1863 

Mar.  18,  1864 
Feb.   3,  1809 

Jan.  16,  1809 

June  18, 1810 

1815 

June  10,  1817 

Oct.  17,  1834 

July  17,  182 1 

July    1,1834 

French,  L.  P 

Flint,  Kingman 

Gamble,  John  M 

Gassaway,  John.  ...  =  .. 
Garrard,  W.  C 

Mar.  5,  181 1 

June  18, 1814 

July    1,  1834 

Gardner,  Henry  W. . . . 

Oct.  8,   1819 
Nov.  15, 1840 
July  26,  1798 

Oct.  15,  1854 

July  26,  1 86 1 

Geddis,  S.  W 

Oct.    5,  1869 

Oct.  30,  1832 

Feb.  27,  1866 
Mar.   1,  1 86 1 
Apr.  a  1,  1869 
Mar.  9,  1865 
Mar.  16,  1801 

July  26,  1810 

Mar.  1,  1815 

Mar.  3,  1819 

Feb.  23,  1830 
May  4,   1840 
Mar.  3,  1847 
July  27,  1847 
June  5,  1861 
Nov.  25, 1861 
Sept.  12, 1812 
June  22, 1874 

Gillespie,  A.  H 

Glisson,  H.  Y 

Jan.  18,  1838 

Nov. — ,  1847 

Goldsborough,  L.  M. . . 
Goodloe,  G.  C 

Sept.  1,  1 86 1 

Apr.  16,  1870 
Apr.  4,  1805 

Apr.  14,  1812 

Jan.  19,  181 1 

Grayson,  Alfred 

Grymes,  Charles 

July  17,  182 1 

July  19,  1855 
Mar.  16, 1847 

Jan.  7,   1859 

Graham,  George  R. . . . 
Grimes,  John  H 

Oct.  22,  1856 
Sept.  1,  1861 
Nov.  26, 1 86 1 

July  26,  1 86 1 
Aug.  13,  1865 

June  21, 1864 

Gulick,  Louis  J 

July  10,  1798 
Aug.  2,  1798 

Hall,  John 

Dec.    1,  1 801 
Jan.  23,  1809 

June  8,  1814 

Hall,  Edward 

Apr.  15, 1799 

1808 

Apr.  23,  1810 

Jan.  23,  1809 
Apr.  14, 1812 

Hanna,  Charles  S 

June  18, 1814 

from  1798  to  1875. 


235 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel.  Brig.  General. 


Brevet  Rank. 


ist  Lieut.  Sept. 
13,  1847. 


Capt.  Apr.  24, 
1862  ;  Major, 
Apr.  15,  1869; 
Lt.  Col.  Mar. 
15,  1870. 


Lt.    Col.  Feb. 
20,  1832. 


Major,  Apr.  19, 
1816;  Lt.  Col. 
Mar.  3,  1827. 


Capt.  Mar.  10, 
1847. 


Major,  Dec.  6, 
1846. 


Capt.  June  18, 


Capt.   July  20. 
183 1. 


Resigned,  but  not  accepted  by  the  Department. 


Resigned  April  1,  181 1. 

In  service. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Dec.  1,  1824. 
Cashiered  in  18 16. 
Resigned  April  30,  1868. 
Resigned  June  13,  1819. 

In  service. 


Resigned  May  19,  1864. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1810. 

Resigned  June  8,  1836. 

Died  March  11,  1843. 

Resigned  Dec.  30,  1873. 
Died  Oct.  15,  1863. 

Died  March  25,  1868. 
Died,  date  not  known. 

Died  Sept.  ix,  1836, 

Resigned  Dec.  29,  1810. 
Resigned  May  31,  1815. 
Died  April  26,  1825. 

Died  June  20,  1864. 

Resigned  April  9,  1801. 
In  service. 

Resigned  Oct.  14,  1854. 

Died  Aug.  13,  1867. 
Died  Oct.  15,  1863. 
In  service. 
In  service. 
Died  in  1815. 

Died  June  28,  1823. 

Resigned  April  1,  1823. 

Died  July  25,  1834. 

Resigned  June  6,  1831. 

In  service.     Retired  April  22,  1864. 

Dismissed  May  18,  1861.    Joined  C.  S.  A.* 

In  service. 

Dismissed  Feb.  11,  1870. 

Resigned  April  23,  1862. 

Resigned  in  1812. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Nov.  10,  1799. 
Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.f 
Resigned  Aug.  13,  1809. 
Resigned  Aug.  2,  1809. 
Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.f 

t  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


236 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF  ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First.  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Hall,  William 

Apr.  18,  1812 
Dec.  4,  1847 

June  10, 1817 

Mar.  3,  1823 
July    5,  1825 
Mar.  9,  1865 

Nov.  25,1861 

July  23,  1866 

Mar.  10,  1863 

Mar.  18,  1864 
Dec.  8,  1864 
June  5,  1861 
Apr.  18,  1S11 

Mar.  16, 1847 

Mar.  14,  1856 
June  5,  1861 

Apr.   5,  1858 

Nov.25, 1861 
Mar.  5,  1872 

Mar.  9,  1861 

June  4,  1799 
Feb.  19,  1801 
July   5,  1809 
Jan.  14,  1799 
Apr.  28,  1810 

Mar.  1,  1815 

Nov.25,  J86i 
Aug.  1,  i860 
Mar.  8,  1849 

Oct.  23,  i860 

May  1,   1799 
Mar.  10,  1863 
June  5,  1861 
July  2,  1812 

Sept  24,1813 
July  17,  1857 

Mar.  3,  1819 
June  13, 1830 
July   1,   1834 

Dec.  18,  1814 

Hays,  A.  J 

Hall,  Joseph  C 

Hardy,  J.  L.  C 

Hall,  Francis  C 

Mar.  3,  1847 
Mar.  16, 1847 

Harris,  Lloyd  G 

Harris,  John  C 

Hammersly,  L.  R 

Haycock,  George  B 

Haverstick,  John  W. . . 

Harrington,  F.  M 

Hale,  W   H 

Feb.  16,  1864 

June  20, 1866 

Oct.  13,  1869 
Sept.  1,  1 86 1 
May  31,  1812 
Dec.  10,  1855 
i86j 

Dec.  8,  1864 
June  18, 1814 

Hebb,  C.  D 

July  26,  1 86 1 

Hitchcock,  Robert  E.. . 

Heywood,  Charles .... 

Heisler,  George 

Hervilly,  D',  James.. . . 

Higbee,  John  H 

186 1 

Nov.  23, 1861 

Sept.   1,  1861 

July   1,  1801 
Sept.  1,  1802 

June  10, 1864 

Hoyt,  Samuel 

Hopkins,  S.  G 

Howie,  Parke  G.* 

Apr.  18,  1817 
Nov.  26, 1 86 1 

July   1,   1834 

Hoff,  H.  B 

Howell,  Becket  J 

Holmes,  George 

Houston,  George  P. . . . 

Huger,  Jacob  M 

Humphrey,  C.  H 

Huntington,  R.  W 

Sept.  1,  1861 

Feb.  6,  1864 

Sept.   1,  1861 

Aug.  9,  1798 
June  1,  1802 
June  28, 1809 
July  16,  1 8 14 
Sept.  1,  1853 

June  2 1, 1864 

Hyde,  Benjamin 

Johnson,  John  

May  23,  1800 
Jan.  26,  1809 
Apr.  — ,  1814 
Mar.  3,  1847 
Jan.   7,   1859 

Oct.    1,  1833 
July  16,  1858 

Dec.  22,  1798 
Tuly  3,  1812 
Mar.   1,  1815 
Feb.  14,  1861 
Mar.  31, 1869 

Jones,  James  H 

May  7,  1861 

June    10,   1864 

lngraham,  H.  L 

Nov.   1,  1800 
June  18,  1814 

Kellogg,  Lyman 

Kennedy,  H.  W 

Kennedy,  Philip  C 

Kelton,  Allan  C 

Mar.  3,  1819 

Brevet  Captain,  Adjutant  and  Inspector  with  rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


237 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Bank. 

(  Capt.  Mar.  3, 
\      1829. 

(  1  st  Lieut.  Apr 
(      24,  1862. 

(  Capt.  June  7, 
1      1870. 

X     13,  1847. 

(  Major,  Mar.  8, 
]  1862;  Lt.  Col. 
(     Aug.  5,  1864. 

(  Capt.  May  25, 

(  Capt.  Apr.  18, 
\      1827. 

\  Major,  Aug.  5, 
\      1864. 

Kemarks. 


Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.* 
Resigned  March  1,  1861. 

Died  May  17,  1833. 

Died  Nov.  26,  1853. 
Died  July  13,  1853. 
Resigned  April  25,  1868. 

Resigned  July  31,  1869. 

Resigned  Sept.  21,  1869. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Sept.  27,  1869. 

In  service. 

Died  Aug.  28,  1867. 

Disbanded  April  18,  18x7,  P.  E.  A.* 

Dismissed  July  22,  1863. 

In  sen-ice. 

Killed  in  action,  July  21 


In  service. 

Died  July  12, 
In  service. 

In  service. 


1 86 1,  Bull  Run. 


1862. 


Resigned  Feb.  16,  1807. 
Resigned  March  10,  1807. 
Resigned  March  14,  1810. 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1799. 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1810. 

Died  July  16,  1857. 

Died  Aug.  17,  1862. 
Resigned  March  1,  1861. 
Resigned  Feb.  28,  1861. 

In  service. 

Died  Nov.  8,  1799. 
Resigned  in  1864. 
In  service. 
Died  Feb.  10,  1815. 


[799. 


Resigned  May  20, 
Resigned  in  1809. 
Resigned  July  7,  1812. 
Died  May  19,  1820. 
In  service. 
Resigned  Oct.  22,  i860. 

Resigned  Feb.  27,  1835. 
Resigned  March  8,  1861. 

Resigned  Nov.  1,  1805. 
Resigned  Feb.  9,  1820. 
Resigned  Nov.  9,  1816. 
Died  Aug.  31,  1864. 
In  service. 


*  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


238 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF  ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Kidd,  Robert 

Nov.  25, 1861 
Sept.  8.  1841 
June  26,  1855 
July  27,  1813 

Feb.  27,  1801 
Sept.  30,1831 
Aug.  9,  1798 
Sept.  25,1855 
Aug.  16, 18 12 
Nov.  4,  1826 

Nov.  26, 1861 
Mar.  16, 1847 

Kintzing,  M.  R 

Kirkland,  W.  W 

Aug.    1,  i860 

June  10, 1864. . 

June  18, 1814 

June  25, 1823 

June  21, 1836 
June  24, 1799 

1861 

June  18,1814 

Jan.  16, 1847 

Lewis,  John  L 

July  26,  1861 

Oct.  13,  1869 

Legge,  Thomas  W 

Sept.  9,  1798 
Apr.  18, 1817 

Linton,  Thomas  A 

Little,  M.  M 

Feb.  28, 1815 

May  17, 1822 
Apr.   r,  1823 
Mar.  16,  1847 
Jan.  12,  1799 
July  20,  1804 
Feb.  28,  1816 
May  7,  1822 

Nov.  25,  1 86 1 

Apr.  3,  1830 
Sept.27, 1813 

1807 

July  5.  1812 

Aug.  12,  1798 

June  30, 1809 

1817 

Mar.  3,  1819 

Mar.  28, 1820 

Apr.  26,  1810 

Oct.  14,  1837 

Feb.  28,  1839 
Nov.  14, 1845 
Dec.  30,  1862 

Apr.  7,  1832 

Mar.  12, 1845 



Lindsay,  G.  F.*. 

Lindsay,  jr.,  G.  F 

Sept.  23, 1831 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Oct.     1,  1801 
July    4, 1805 

Lowry,  H.  B.* 

Nov.  26, 1 861 

Oct.  16,  1869 

June  18, 1814 
Jan.  23,  1809 

Lucket,   Lloyd 

Jan.  28,  1809 
Nov.  16, 1810 

Marston,  Ward 

Macomber,  Benj 

Oct.  30,  182 1 
Apr.  2,  1823 

July  1,    1834 
Jan.   8,   1838 

Dec.  10,  1855 
Jan.   7,   1859 

July  26,  1 861.. 

Maddox,  W.  A.  T  .*. . . 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Oct.  26,  1857 

Feb.  i2,  1870 
Aug.  3,  1798 

Sept.  1,  1798 

McCleary,  W 

Dec.  16,  1799 
Apr.  21,  18 12 
Sept.  9,  1818 
July  3,    1811 
Mar.  23,  1813 

Mar.  28,  1820 
Mar.  1 1,  1829 
May  8,  1833 
Oct.  17,  1834 
Mar.  3,  1835 

Mar.  3,  1847 

June  17, 1870 

McKinnon,  N.  A 

McCline,  John 

McDowell,  J.  E 

McClean,  James 

Oct.   6,   1822 

Mar.  6,  1838 
Apr.  15,1841 

Sept.  12, 1836 

McLean,  Alex.  C 

McLean,  G.  W 

McNeill,  F.  B 

McArdle,  W.  M 

McCawley,  C.  G 

McCawley,  Ed 

Jan.  2,    1855 

July  26,  1861 

*  Assistant  Quartermaster  with  rank  of  Captain. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


239 


AND   PROGRESSIVE  RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

Dismissed  Dec.  29,  1862. 

Resigned  Aug.  28,  i860. 
Dismissed  April  7,  1832. 

Died  July  16,  1804. 
Died  May  6,  1850. 
Resigned  June  23,  1801. 

Resigned  in  1816. 
Resigned  Sept.  30,  1831. 
Died  April  9,  1800. 

Died  Feb.  17,  1853. 

Resigned  Feb.  25,  1825. 
Died  Sept.  27,  1857. 
Resigned  Dec.  31,  1852. 
Resigned  Aug.  1,  1805. 
Died  May  13,  1807. 
Resigned  July  15,  1816. 
Resigned  June  30,  1825. 

\  Capt.  April  18, 
\      1827. 

1  Capt.   Sept.  8, 

Died  July  28,  1832. 

Died  Oct.  30,  1821. 

Resigned  in  1812. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1812. 

Resigned  May  14,  1799. 
Drowned  Feb.  7,  1812. 
Resigned  April  16,  1812. 
Resigned  July  21,  1818. 

In  service.     Retired  June  1,  1864. 

(  Capt.   April  2, 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1810. 

}  Capt.    Jan.    3, 
i      1847. 

Resigned  Jan.  25,  1842. 
Resigned  Jan.  26,  1850. 

Killed  in  a  duel,  Oct.  14,  1802. 
Died  Dec.  31,  1800. 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1812. 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1818. 
Resigned  March  25,  1812. 
Resigned  Aug.  20,  1813. 

Died  Feb.  22,  1839. 

Resigned  May  8,  1833. 
Resigned  Feb.  7,  1839. 
Died  March  13,  1856. 
Resigned  Jan.  31,  1837. 

1  Capt.    Oct.    6, 

(  1st  Lieut.  Sept. 
{    13, 1847  !  Maj. 
(    Sept.  8, 1863. 

Resigned  April  1,  1873. 

240 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF   ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

McDonald,  jr.,  W.  J.... 
McKean,  W.  B 

May  21,  1 868 
Nov.  25, 1861 
Mar.  31, 1869 

June  14,  1862 

Nov.  25, 1 86 1 

June  14,  1862 

Nov.  25, 1861 
Apr.  16,  1855 

Nov.  26,1861 

Oct.  13,  1869 

McSherry,  W.  K 

Apr.  2,    1864 
Nov.  26, 1861 
Nov.  17, 1864 
Nov.  26, 186 1 

Meeker,  E.  P 

Meiere,  Julius  E 

Aug.  3,  1798 

Mercer,  Samuel 

Miller,  Samuel 

Miller,  E.  R 

Mar.  12,  1 86 1 

June  1,  1808 

Feb.    6,  1865 
Mar.    1,  181  s 
Mar.  10,  1865 
July    2,  1864 

1810 

Apr.  20,  1810 
Apr.  15,  1812 
June  s,  1861 
July    2,  1864 
Mar.  18,  1864 
Feb.  19, 1873 

May  8,   1799 
Feb.  6,   1865 
Jan.  16,  1817 
May  22,  1826 
Oct'.  30,  1830 
Feb.  27,  1 80 1 
Dec.  24,  18 1 3 
Mar.  13,  1816 

Mar.  28, 1820 

Mar.  16, 1847 

Mar.  16,  1847 

May  9,   1815 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Nov.  25, 1861 
Nov.  25, 1861 
June  7,  1873 

Jan.  18,  1 80 1 
Mar.  10,  1869 
Oct.  19,  18 12 
Oct.   9,  1800 

Jan.  23,  1809 
Mar.  13,  1816 

Mar.  7,  1809 

June  18, 1814 

July  1,  1834 

Oct.  6,  1841... 

Apr.  18,  1817 
July  2,    1871 

Morgan,  John  C 

Mosby,  Robert 

Moseby,  Joseph 

Montegat,  T.  R 

Apr.  14,  1812 

June  18, 1814 
Sept.  1,  1861 
Aug.  2,  1869 
Apr.  27,  1867 

June  10, 1864 

Murray,  W.  B 

Muse,  W   S 

Murphy,  P.  St.  C 

Neill,  R   R 

Oct.   16,  1869 

Nicoll    William    .  ■ 

June  18,  1814 

May  27,  1822 

July  25,  1834 

Nicholson,  Joseph  S. . . 

Nicholson,  A.  S.t 

Nowell   Ed   S 

Mar.  14, 1856 

May  6,  1861 

June  30,  1863 
Nov.  26, 1861 
Nov.  29,  1874 

Oct.  15,  1802 

Mar.  20,  1872 

Nye   C  H  

Nicholson,  Joseph 

0'  Bannon,  P.N 

O'Brien,  A.  H 

June  18,  1814 
July  1,    1802 

June  28,  1809 

Osborn,  W.  S 

Parker,  Henry  M 

Parker    \V    H 

Dec.  8,  1864 

Palmer,  Aulick 

Mar.  12,  i866|Mar.  13,  1872 

*  Quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  Major.      t  Adjutant  and  Inspector  with  the  rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


241 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

In  service.     Retired  April  16,  1870. 
Died  Oct.  13,  1872. 

(  ist  Lieut.  Sept. 
\    8,  1863. 

Resigned  June  19,  1866. 

(  Capt.  Jan.  14, 
\    1865. 

Dismissed  July  1,  1863. 

Dismissed  May  6,  1861,    Joined  C.  S.  A.* 

Died  Aug.  31,  1798. 

(  Major,  Aug.  24, 
J    1814  ;  Lt.  Col. 
(   Mar.  3,  1827. 

Died  Dec.  9,  1855. 

In  service.     Retired  Oct  12,  1869. 
Resigned  Sept.  12,  1817. 

Died  Dec.  25,  1865. 

Resigned  April  30,  1814. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1810. 

Disbanded  April  18,  1S17,  P.  E.  A.f 

Dismissed  May  17,  1871. 

Died  Sept.  22,  1800. 
Resigned  June  2,  1873. 
Resigned  Jan.  1,  1819. 

Resigned  July  15,  1833. 
Resigned  April  5,  1801. 
Died  March  24,  182 1. 
Resigned  July  10,  1817. 

Died  July  18,  1855. 
Resigned  Sept.  5,  1850. 

\    1832. 

(ist  Lieut,  Sept. 

\    13,  1847- 

(  ist  Lieut.  Sept. 

I    13,  1847 

Died  July  7,  1817. 
Dismissed  June  26,  1855. 

\  ist  Lieut.  Sept. 
\    i3i  1847- 

Dropped  Nov.  16,  1864. 

Resigned  March  6,  1807. 

Died  Sept.  17,  1821. 
Resigned  April  26,  1806. 

Resigned  Feb.  28,  1812. 
Cashiered  June  12,  1817. 

Died  May  9,  1872. 

In  service. 

(  Major,  Jan.  15, 
\    1864. 

*  Resignation  tendered  to  join  the  South,  but  not  accepted  by  the  Department, 
t  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


242 


Register  of  Officers 


DATES    OF   ORIGINAL    ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut  Colonel. 

Payne,  John  O 

Dec.  2,  1853 
June  14,  1862 
Mar.  3,  1847 
July  12,  1862 
1807 

Nov.  25, 1861 

Dec.  6,   1799 

Peet,  Jr.,  F.  T 

Sept.  1,   1864 

Perry,  William  F 

Jan.  23,  1809 
Nov.  26, 1861 

Pope,  P.  C 

Apr.  14,  1870 

Porter,  Charles  K 

Porter,  Carlisle  P 

Dec.  20,  1866:  Feb.   1,  1873 

Powell,  S.  W 

June  13,  1836 
Apr.  27,  1812 

Dec.  4,  1869 
Mar.  14, 1842 

Sept.  2,  1798 
Feb.  2,   1809 
July  30,  1823 
Mar.  1,  1857 
Sept.  5,  1798 
June  14,  1862 
Oct.  25,  1858 
July  2,    1864 
Nov.  25, 1861 
May   1,   1799 

May  26,  1824 
Mar.  3,  1847 

Quackinbush,  S.  W 

Queen,  Henry  W 

Sept.  28, 1847 
Mar.  2,  1799 

Jan.  16,  1808 

Ragland,  James 

Randolph,  W.A 

1861 

May  25,  1799 

July  26,  1861 

Rathbome,  J.  H 

Aug.  29,  1869 
Feb.  17, 1864 
Apr.  9,  1 80 1 

May  17, 1833 

Nov.  27, 1853 
Aug.  19,  1855 
June  18, 1814 

Remey,  W.  B 

June  21, 1872 
Jan. 23,  1809 

Mar.  3,  1847 
May  24,  1861 

Reynolds,  John  G 

Reynolds,  E.  McD 

July  26,  1861   . 

June  5,  1813 
Apr.  24,  1810 
June  21, 1834 

Riddle,  Robert  B 

Feb.  24,  1839 

Nov.  27, 1853 

July  2,    1864 

Mar.  3,  182 1 

July-   1817 
Mar.  3,  1821 
Apr.  26,  1832 

Apr.   5,  1843 

Oct.  16,  1869 

June  3,  1858 
July  4,    1809 
Dec.  9,   1870 
June  14, 1862 
Mar.  14,  1829 
Jan.  10,  1858 
July  s,    1871 
Apr.  27,  1810 
Mar.  28,  1820 
Oct.  30,  1 83 1 
Mar.  26,  1799 
Sept.  28,1811 
Nov.  25,1861 

Sept.  28, 1869 
Oct.   1,    1824 

Rogers,  S.  \V 

Robins,  G.  W 

Dec.  11,  1836 
Nov.  18, 1847 

Russell,  W.  W* 

Russell,  B.  R 

Scott,  W.  B 

June  10, 1864 

Schaumburgh,  J.  W. . . 

Schermerhorn,  J 

Schenck,  W.  S 

Nov.  16, 1861 

Nnv.   tfi.  iRfii 

Searcy,  Laf  avette 



Sherburne,  W.  W 

Sells,  David  M 

Paymaster  with  the  rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


243 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

[Resigned  Aug.  28,  1869. 
Resigned  Nov.  15,  1848. 
Killed  in  action  Dec  24,  1864. 
Resigned  Aug.  31, 1811. 

In  sen-ice. 

Resigned  June  30,  1801. 
Resigned  Aug.  12,  1819. 
In  service. 

Resigned  Feb.  12,  1865. 
Dismissed  July  10,  1837. 
Died  Feb.  7,  1813. 

In  service. 

Died  at  sea  April,  4,  1858. 

Resigned  Jan.  1,  1809. 
Resigned  May  17,  1809. 
Dismissed  Oct.  21,  1826. 
Died  Feb  15,  1864. 
Resigned  June  30,  1802. 
Dismissed  June  20,  1863. 
Resigned  Jan.  16,  1862. 

)  Capt.    Sept.  8, 
i    1863. 

Resigned  Jan.  30,  181 1. 
Died  Nov.  2,  1865. 

Dismissed  Dec.  7,  1864- 

Resigned  Feb.  28,  1861. 
Resigned  Oct.  r,  1824. 
Died  in  September,  181 1. 
Dismissed  May  22,  1861. 
Resigned  Jan.  9,  1858. 
In  service. 

\  Died  Dec.  11,  1836,  of  wounds  received  in 

)      action. 
Died  in  1818. 
Died  Sept.  27,  1823. 
Died  March  1,  1845. 

Died  Oct.  31,  1862. 

(  Major,  Sept.13, 

t    1847. 

\  1st  Lieut.  Sept. 

(  Capt.  Dec.  10, 
1    1847. 

Resigned  Feb.  14,  1861. 
Resigned  March  13,  1810. 

Resigned  July  1,  1871. 

Cashiered  Oct.  20,  1832. 

In  service.     Retired  May  17,  1871. 

Major,  — ,  181 4.. 

Resigned  April  3,  18 16. 
Died  May  29,  182 1. 
Resigned  Dec.  31,  1841. 
Resigned  July  31,  1802. 
Resigned,  181  x. 
Resigned  July  17,  1863. 

244 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF  ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Mar.  21, 1870 
July  12,  1862 

Feb.  28,  1839 

Mar.  12,  1866 
Mar.  1,  1815 

Oct.   7,   1 84 1 

Jan.  28,  1839 

May  12,  1869 
Oct.  17,  1834 
Nov.  25,1861 
Sept.  1,  1802 

July  20,  1806 

Apr.  26,  1812 
Aug.  27,  1825 
Mar.  2 1,  1870 
Mar.  1,  1815 
Dec.  10,  1855 
May  7,   1822 
Oct.  17,  1834 
Mar.  13,  1872 
July  19,  1855 
Nov.  25,1861 

• 

Dec.  9,   1864 

Mar.  16,  1847 
Mar.  20,  1872 

Shuttleworth,  W.  L... . 

Sept.  28, 1857 

Simms,  John  D 

Slack,  W.  B.* 

Sept.  27, 1847 
Mar.  3,  1847 

Feb.  22,  1857 

Aug.  13,  i860 

Slack,  jr.,  W.  B 

Sloan,  Thomas  T 

Oct.  31,  1840 
Nov.  26, 1861 

Mar.  8,  1807 

Mar.  13, 1812 

Smith,  Richard  L 

Smyser,  John  D 

Sparks,  Alex.  D 

Spearing.  Charles  F . . . 

Sprague,  John  T 

Spicer,  jr.,  W.  F 

Stark,  Alex.  W 

Jan.  31,  1827 

Feb.  28,  1861 
Nov.  26, 1861 
Oct.  31,  I7Q3 
Oct.  23,  1798 

Stillman,  C.  H 

Dec.  5,   1867 

June  1,  1806 
Apr.  23, 1812 

1808 

Mar.   1,  181 1 
Apr.  22,  1812 
Feb.  28,  1815 
July  1,    183 1 
June  14, 1862 
Nov.  25, 1 86 1 
Nov.  25, 1861 

Mar.  29, 1842 

1809 

Apr.  16,  1812 
July  24,  1813 

June  18,  1814 
Dec.  10,  1814 

Stephen,  Henry 

Stark.  William  B 

July    1,  1S34 
June  10,  1864 
Nov.  26, 1 86 1 

Mar.  16,  1847 

Stoddard,  George  G... . 

Aug.  24, 1867 

Sturgeon,  E.  B 

Sutherland,  D.  J*  . . . . 

Jan.  27,  1809 

June  18,1814 

Swift,  William  F 

Mar.  1,  18 1 5 

Taylor,  Algernon  S 

Feb.  21,  1839 

Mar.  2,  1839 
July  2,  1864 

Nov.  3,  1840 

Nov.  3,  1847 

Apr.  1,   1830 

Mar.  2,  1861 
May  2,  1799 
Mar.  11,1865 

Mar.  3,  1847 

July  17,  1857 

Taylor,  A.  S 

July  30,  1868 

Mar.  16,  1847 

Feb.  22, 1857 

July  1,   1834 

Sept.   1,  1861 
July    1,   1800 

Tansill,  Robert 

Nov.  29, 1858 

Tattnall,  J.  R.  F 

Terrett,  George  H 

Mar.  16, 1847 

June  10,  1864 
Jan.  23,  1809 

Thompson,  James 

Thompson,  George  H.. 

*  Quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


245 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Bank. 

Eemarks. 

(  1  st  Lieut.  Aug. 
\    5,  1864. 
(  Capt.  Mar.  10, 
i    1847. 

Died  Sept.  27,  1871. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1815. 
Dismissed  July  8,  1861.     Joined  C.  S.  A.* 

|  Capt.  Sept.  13, 
1    1847. 

{  Capt.  Mar.  10, 
1    1847 

Died  Sept.  27,  1874. 
Died  Feb.  10,  1850. 
Resigned  July  26,  1866. 
Resigned  March  29,  1804. 

Cashiered  Feb.  23,  1830. 

Resigned  July  8,  1812. 

Transferred  to  the  Army,  Nov.  20,  1830. 

]    1814;  Lt.  Col. 
(    June  18,  1824. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1815. 
Resigned  in  1855. 
Cashiered  Sept.  23,  1841. 
Resigned  July  3,  1837. 

Dismissed  Jan.  9,  1862. 

In  service.     Retired  March  12,  1872. 

Resigned  Oct.  31,  1800. 

Resigned  Sept.  30,  1801. 

Resigned  Aug.  6,  1806. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1812. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1809. 

Resigned  Oct.  23,  1818. 

Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.f 

Resigned  March  20,  1816. 

Died  Aug.  18,  1855. 

Died  April  26,  1867. 

Resigned  Jan.  12,  1870. 

Dismissed  July  1,  1863. 

Dismissed  July  23,  i860. 

Disbanded  April  18,  1817,  P.  E.  A.f 
Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1815. 

Dismissed  Jan.  2,  1799. 

Dismissed  May  6,  1861.     Joined  C.  S.  A.* 

Died  Nov.  13,  1845. 

(  Capt.  Sept.  14, 

J  Capt.  Mar.  27, 
(    1847- 

(  Capt.  Nov.  17, 

Dismissed  Aug.  24,  1861.     Joined  C.S.A.* 
Dismissed  Nov.  22,  1861.     Joined  C.S.A.* 
Dismissed  May  6,  1861.    Joined  C.S.A.* 

1    1S47. 

Resigned  Jan.  12,  1810. 
Died  at  sea  May  2,  1868. 

*  Resignation  tendered  to  join  the  South,  but  not  accepted  by  the  Department. 
t  Peace  Establishment  Act. 


246 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE   OF   ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names.                  Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

•        1 
Thayer,  Cotton June  25, 1799 

Thornton,  Francis ADr.  2$.  1810 

Apr.   3,  181 1 

Apr.  12,  18 1 5 

Thomas,  Frederick. . . . 

July    1,  1825 
Aug.  30, 1805 

Mar.  3,  1819 

Sept.  27,1856 

Nov.  10,  1813 

Mar.  3,  1823 
Jan.    2,  1855 

Mar.  5,  181 1 

June  14, 1862 

Apr.  24,  1869 
Nov.  10, 1800 
Jan.  16,  1801 

Feb.  15, 1807 

Dec.  4,  1869 

Mar.  18, 1864 
June  14, 1862 

July  4,    1812 

Mar.  9,  1865 

June  10, 1817 

May  22,  1826 

Sept.  13,  183 1 

June  21, 1835 

Oct.    5,  1836 

Towns,  Thomas 

Tupper,  Charles  C 

Jan.  21,  1822 

July    1,  1834 

June  18, 1814 
Apr.    1,  1830 

Feb.  23,  1830 
Mar.  12, 1845 

Nov.  15, 1840 

Tyler,  H.  B.* 

Tyler,  jr.,  H.  B 

Urquehart,  John 

Wallace,  William 

Apr.  30,  1812 
June  10,1864 

Wallach,  Richard 

Wait,  Marmaduke 

Wainwright,  R.  D 

Wainwright,  R.  D 

Washburn,  I.  H 

Jan.  23, 1809 

Sept.  29, 1812 

July  1,1834... 

Aug.  29,  1867 

Ward,  A.  W 

Watson,  Samuel  E 

June  18,1814 

May  18,  1871 

Mar.  3,  182 1 

July    1,  1834 

July  25,  1834 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Mar.  3,  1847 

Sept.  27, 1798 
Dec.  5,  1867 

Mar.  28, 1820 

July   1,    1834 

Walker  George  W.f... 

Watkins,T.  L.  C 

Waldron  N.  S 

July    1,  1834 

Mar.  16,  1847 
Dec.  10, 1855 

Watson,  Josiah 

Watson,  Henry  B 

Nov.  16, 1861 

Webster,  F.  D 

Mar.  18, 1864 
July     1,1874 
Jan.  16,  1817 

Oct.  17,  1834 
Mar.  3,  1847 
July  12,  1862 
Jan.  28, 1799 
Sept.  24, 1813 
July    1,  1874 
Feb.  19,  1817 
Oct.  17,  1834 
May  29,  187 1 
Oct.  22,  1856 
Sept.  28, 1798 
Aug.  20,  1805 

June  14, 1862 

May    7,  1822 

Webster,  LeRoy  C. . . . 

Weed,  Elijah  J.  J 

West,  Edward  L 

Mar.  3,  1819 
Oct.    6,  1 84 1 

July  1,   1834 

Welles,  George  M 

Jan.  11,  1865 
Oct.  17,  1800 
June  18, 1814 

Whiting,  Henry 

Whetcroft,  W.  W 

Whitney,  L.   F 

Whipple,  David 

Williams,  H.  A 

Williams,  John 

Williams,  Charles  F... 

Mar.  2,  1807 
June  10, 1864 
Dec.  27,  1825 

Jan.  31,  1811 

Williams,  Job  G 

Nov.  15, 1840 

*  Adjutant  and  Inspector  with  rank  of  Major. 

i  Quartermaster  with 


t  Brevet  Captain  and  Quartermaster, 
rank  of  Major. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


247 


AND   PROGRESSIVE   RANK. 


Brig.  General. 


Brevet  Rank. 


(  Capt.  Jan. 
\    1S32. 


(  Capt. 
I    1825. 


Mar. 


1st  Lieut.  Sept. 
8,  1S63  ;  Capt. 
Jan.  14,  1865. 


Major,  Mar.  3, 
1823  ;  Lt.  Col. 
Mar.  3,  1827. 


Lt.    Col.    Mar. 
28,  1830. 


Capt. 
183 1 


Mar. 


Major,  July  22. 


(  Capt.  Nov.  20, 
\    1847. 


t  Capt   Nov.   7, 
\    1828. 


(  Capt.  Jan. 
\    1865. 


Resigned  July  15,  1801. 

Resigned  in  1847. 

Resigned  Dec.  12,  1815. 

Transferred  to  the  Army,  July  14,  1826. 

Resigned  March  31,  1806. 

Died  Jan.  18,  1838. 

Dismissed  June  25,  1861.     Joined  C.S.A.* 

Killed  in  battle,  Sept.  13,  1847. 

Dismissed  May  4,  1861.     Joined  C.  S.  A.* 
Dismissed  June  ax,  1861.     Joined  C.  S.  A.* 

Resigned  in  18 12. 

In  service. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Feb.  20,  1801. 

Last  appearance  in  Register  of  1801. 

Died  Oct.  5,  1841. 

In  service. 
In  service. 
Died  March  17,  1867. 

Died  Nov.  17,  1847. 

In  service. 

Died  Aug.  29,  1851. 

Died  Oct.  31,  1840. 

Died  Feb.  21,  1857. 

Died  Feb.  5,  1864. 

Resigned  Jan.  1,  1855. 

Resigned  Aug.  31,  1803. 
In  service. 
In  service. 

Died  March  5,  1838. 

Died  March  30,  1851. 

Died  Aug.  27,  1847. 

Retired  Nov.  29,  1874. 

Died  in  1801. 

Killed  in  a  duel,  Sept.  25,  1819. 

In  service. 

Resigned  Aug.  3,  1820. 

Cashiered  March  14,  1840. 

In  service. 

Dismissed  June  30,  1858. 

Died  July  1,  1800. 

Died  of  wounds  received  in  action,  Aug.,  181*. 

In  service. 

JDied  Sept.  26, 


(856. 


Resignation  tendered  to  join  the  South,  but  not  accepted  by  the  Department 


248 


Register  of  Officers 


DATE  OF  ORIGINAL  ENTRY 


Names. 

Second  Lieut. 

First  Lieut. 

Captain. 

Major. 

Lieut.  Colonel. 

Winthrop,  P.  W 

Wilson,  W.  D 

Feb.  13,  1809 
June  28, 1809 

Jan.  23,  1809 
Jan.  23,  1809 
May  10,  1838 
Dec.  13,  1857 
Jan.  9,    1847 
Aug.  15, 1805 
Apr.  22,  1810 

Wilmer,  E.  P 

Wiley,  James  * 

Wormeley,  W.  W 

Woodson,  Joseph 

Wright,  William 

Sept.  27, 1856 

July  26,  1861 

Apr.  2,  181 1 

Nov.  16, 1798 

Yates,  Thomas  Y 

Young,  T.  M.  W 

Young  W   L 

I°I7 

Feb.  20,  1822 

Feb.  23,  1835 

Apr.  4,  1838 
July  2,    1864 
Mar.  18,  1864 
June  14, 1862 
Mar.  27, 1856 

Dec.  19, 1871 

Mar.  12, 1845 

Young,  John  F 

Young,  J.  M.  T 

Young,  Albert  B 

Young,  James  B 

Youngblood,  E.  H 

Zeilin,W.  F 

Aug.  9,  1868 
Nov.  29, 1867 
June  22, 1864 

*  Assistant  Quartermaster  with  rank  of  Captain. 


from  1798  to  1875. 


249 


AND   PROGRESSIVE  RANK. 


Colonel. 

Brig.  General. 

Brevet  Rank. 

Remarks. 

Resigned  May  6,  t8ii. 
Resigned  Sept.  14,  1809. 
Resigned  June  19,  1809. 

Dismissed  Aug.  24,  186 1.     Joined  C.  S.  A.* 
In  service.     Retired  June  20,  1872. 
Resigned  June  17,  1806. 
Resigned  June  17,  18 14. 
Resigned  May  8,  1818. 

Lost  in  the  Insurgent. 

Dismissed  Aug.  17.  1817. 
Died  July  7,  1825. 

Died  Dec.  12,  1857. 

Died  Feb.  9,  1839. 

\  Capt.  Sept.  13, 
\    1847. 

Resigned  Jan.  31,  1873. 
Resigned  Jan.  20,  1865. 
Resigned  Feb.  28,  1857. 

In  service. 

*  Resignation  tendered  to  join  the  South,  but  not  accepted  by  the  Department. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THANKS,    MEDALS   AND    SWORDS   AWARDED    TO     MEMBERS    OF   THE 
CORPS. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  officers,  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates,  to  whom  thanks,  medals,  and  swords  were  voted 
from  1799  to  18 1 4. 

Capture   of   the  French  frigate   Insurgente,   by   the    United 
States  frigate  Constellation,  February  1,  1799  : 
Lieutenant  Bartholomew  Clinch. 

Constellation    in    action   with   the    French   ship-of-war    La 
Vengeance,  February  1,  1800  : 
Lieutenant  Bartholomew  Clinch. 

Capture  of  the  Tripolitan  ship-of-war  Tripoli,  by  the  United 
States  schooner  Enterprise,  August  1,  1801  : 
Lieutenant  E.  S.  Lane. 

Capture  and  destruction  of  a  Tripolitan  frigate,  the  Philadel- 
phia, of  forty-four  guns,  in  the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  by  the  United 
States  ketch  Intrepid,  February  16,  1804: 
The  following  men  volunteered, — 
Sergeant  Solomon  Wren, 
Corporal  Duncan  Mansfield, 
Private  James  Noble, 
"        John  Quin, 

251 


252        Thanks,  Medals  and  Swords  Awarded  to  the  Corps. 

Private  Isaac  Campbell, 
Reuben  O'Brian, 
"         William  Pepper, 
J.  Wolsfrandoff. 

The  attacks  on  the  city  and  harbor  of  Tripoli  in  July,  August, 
and  September,  1804: 
Captain  John  Hall, 
Lieutenant  Robert  Greenleaf, 
Lieutenant  John  Johnson. 

Killed  before  Tripoli,  August  7,  1804: 
Sergeant  John  Meredith, 
Private  Nathaniel  Holmes. 

Constitution  in  action  with  the  Guerriere,  August  19,  1812 : 
First  Lieutenant  William  S.  Bush,  killed, 
Second  Lieutenant  John  Contee. 

United  States  in  action  with  the  Macedonian,  October  2K 
1812:  * 

Lieutenant  William  Anderson, 
Lieutenant  James  L.  Edwards. 

Capture  of  the  Detroit  and  Caledonia,  October  8,  181 2  : 
First  Lieutenant  William  H.  Freeman, 
Second  Lieutenant  John  Contee. 

Victory  on  Lake  Erie,  September  10,  1813, — 
Lawrence:  First  Lieutenant  John   Brooks,   killed,  Sergeant 
James  Tull,    Sergeant  William  S.  Johnson. 

Caledonia :  Sergeant  Joseph  Beckley,  Sergeant  James  Artis. 
Scorpion  :  Corporal  Joseph  Iterry. 
Porcupine  :  Corporal  David  Little. 


Thanks,  Medals  and  Swords  Awarded  to  the  Corps.        253 

Trippe  :  Corporal  John  Brown. 

Tigress  :  Corporal  William  Webster. 

Niagara :  Captain  George  Stockton,  Lieutenant  John  Hedd- 
leston,  Sergeant  Jonathan  Curtis,  Sergeant  Sanford  A.  Mason. 

Wasp,  in  action  with  the  Reindeer,  June  28th,    1814: 
Sergeant  William  O.  Barnes. 

Resolution  of  Congress : 

Resolved,  That  Congress  entertain  a  high  sense  of  the  valor 
and  good  conduct  of  Commodore  D.  T.  Patterson,  of  the 
officers,  petty  officers  and  seamen  attached  to  his  command,  for 
their  prompt  and  efficient  cooperation  with  General  Jackson,  in 
,the  late  gallant  and  successful  defence  of  the  city  of  New 
Orleans,  when  assailed  by  a  powerful  British  force. 

Resolved,  That  Congress  entertain  a  high  sense  of  the  valor 
and  good  conduct  of  Major  Daniel  Carmick,  of  the  officers, 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  Marines  under  his  command, 
in  the  defence  of  the  said  city,  on  the  late  memorable  occasion. 

Approved  February  22,  1815. 


CHAPTER  III. 

LIST   OF   OFFICERS   WHO   WERE   BREVETTED    FOR  SERVICES  DURING 
THE   CIVIL    WAR. 

During  and  after  the  close  of  the  civil  war,  Congress  and  the 
Navy  Department  showed  appreciation  and  approval  of  the 
conduct  of  the  officers  of  the  Marine  Corps,  by  conferring  brevet 
titles  on  many  of  them.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the 
officers  so  honored,  with  A  statement  of  the  reasons  which  led 
to  their  distinction : 

Lieutenant-colonels  by  brevet,  — 

Brevet  Major  John  L.  Broome,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  second  battle  of  Vicksburg,  July  15,  1863,  to  date 
from  March  14,  1863. 

Brevet  Major  Charles  Heywood,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  battle  of  Mobile  Bay,  to  date  from  August  5, 1864. 

Brevet  Major  James  Forney,  for  meritorious  services  in  de- 
feating a  rebel  raid  at  Gunpowder  Bridge,  in  July,  1864. 

Majors  by  brevet, — 

Captain  Charles  G.  McCawley,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  to  date  from 
September  8,  1863. 

Captain  John  L.  Broome,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services, 
to  date  from  April  24,  1862. 

254 


Officers  B  revetted  During  the  Civil  War.  255 

Captain  P.  R.  Fendall,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  at 
the  battles  of  Hatteras  Inlet,  Port  Royal,  Sewell's  Point, 
Ocrakoke  Inlet,  Savannah  and  James  Rivers,  to  date  from  June 
7,   1870. 

Captain  Charles  Heywood,  for  distinguished  gallantry  in  the 
presence  of  the  enemy,  March  8,  1862. 

Captain  Lucien  L.  Dawson,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser- 
vices at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and  15, 
1865. 

Captain  George  P.  Houston,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser- 
vices at  the  battle  of  Mobile  Bay,  to  date  from  August  5,  1864. 

Captain  James  Forney,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services 
in  the  action  with  the  savages  at  Formosa,  June  13,  1867. 

Captain  George  Butler,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services 
at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14,  and  15,  1865. 

Captain  W.  H.  Parker,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at 
the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14,  and  15,  1865. 

Captains  by  brevet,  — 

First  Lieutenant  James  Forney,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  attack  on  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  April  24, 
1862. 

First  Lieutenant  John  H.  Higbee,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  Port  Hudson  and  Grand  Gulf,  May  25,  1863. 

First  Lieutenant  F.  H.  Corrie,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and  15, 
1865. 

First  Lieutenant  H.   B.   Lowry,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 


2  5  6  Officers  B revetted  During  the  Civil  War. 

services  at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  September  8, 
1863. 

First  Lieutenant  P.  C.  Pope,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  ser- 
vices at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  September  8,  1863. 

First  Lieutenant  William  Wallace,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and  15, 
*    1865. 

First  Lieutenant  Geo.  G.  Stoddard,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  battle  of  Boyd's  Neck,  and  at  the  battle  of 
Tulifinny  Cross-roads,  to  date  from  December  6,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  F.  Williams,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and 
15,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant  E.  P.  Meeker,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and  15, 
1865. 

First  Lieutenant  L.  E.  Fagan,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  attack  upon  Fort  Fisher,  January  13,  14  and  15, 
1865. 

First  Lieutenant  George  B.  Haycock,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  Gunpowder  Bridge,  in  July,  1864,  to  date  from 
June  7,  1870. 

First  lieutenants  by  brevet,  — 

Second  Lieutenant  John  C.  Harris,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  attack  upon  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 
April  24,  1862. 

Second  Lieutenant  R.  L.  Meade,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  September  8, 
1863. 


Officers  B revetted  During  the  Civil  War.  257 

Second  Lieutenant  William  Wallace,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  September 
8,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenant  Louis  E.  Fagan,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  night  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter,  September 
8,  1863. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  Sherman,  for  gallant  and  merito- 
rious services  at  the  battle  of  Mobile  Bay,  August  5,  1864. 


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